Study of "Diogenes" in the "School of Athens", ca. 1508 – 1510

About the Work

Raphael drew the figure of Diogenes for the School of Athens fresco after a live model, probably a workshop assistant. In this superb drawing from the Städel, he handled the silverpoint confidently and fluently to convey both surface structures and the incidence of the light. Important anatomical details have been singled out and repeated in isolated studies. In the fresco, Diogenes the unconventional philosopher without needs is seen reading in a relaxed pose: sprawled out on the steps in front of Plato and Aristotle.