Philosophy

An etching after one of the four roundels painted by Raphael in the vault of the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican. Second state, numbered in the lower right corner: 2, and with letters below image. On watermarked paper. Annotated in pencil on the back. Not listed in Ruland (1876). For a first state impression, see RCIN 852635. One from a series of four engravings reproducing the four roundels. The remaining prints from the series can also be found in the Raphael Collection: Theology (RCINs 852615, 852616), Poetry (RCIN 852624), and Justice (RCIN 852639). Ruland attributed the whole series to N. Bocquet. The roundel reproduced in this print depicts the allegorical figure of Philosophy, flanked by two winged putti holding inscribed panels. In the Stanza della Segnatura, it is painted above the fresco of the 'School of Athens'. A photograph of the roundel can be found at RCIN 852632.