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Secondary sourcePainting1550

The School of Athens engraving with Saint Paul

Raphael · 1550

A 1550 engraving by Giorgio Ghisi after Raphael, reinterpreted to show Paul disputing with Greek philosophers in Athens, based on Acts 17.

Depicts Paul disputing with Athenian philosophers, reinterpreting Raphael's composition to illustrate Acts 17.

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Black and white engraving of an architectural hall with columns and arches, where many robed figures gather around a central group, some seated and writing on the steps. A niche holds a nude statue with a lyre. Latin inscription text sits in the lower left corner and a signature plaque in the lower right.
Giorgio Ghisi after Raphael, The School of Athens (reinterpreted as Saint Paul among the Philosophers), 1550. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This is an engraving made in 1550 by Giorgio Ghisi, based on Raphael's famous composition known as The School of Athens. The lettering on the print reinterprets the scene as Saint Paul debating with philosophers in Athens, drawing on the biblical account in Acts 17. It is held today by the Wellcome Collection in London.

Why it matters

Raphael's original painting showed ancient Greek philosophers, but this print reshapes that imagery to tell a Christian story, placing Paul among figures of classical learning. It shows how artists in the 1500s reused admired classical-style compositions to make religious points, connecting the apostle's mission to the world of Greek philosophy described in the Bible.

Look closer

  • What details in the architecture and statues suggest this is a classical setting rather than a biblical one?
  • Why might an artist choose to reinterpret a philosophical gathering as a scene about Paul?
  • What does the Latin inscription add that the image alone does not show?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Paul on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Secondary source

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