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About This Work
Christ sits enthroned at the center of a golden sun-like mandorla, flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist in prayer. Below him, the Holy Spirit appears as a dove, while four winged putti hold open books of the Gospels. On a semi-circle of clouds, figures from the Old and New Testaments, including Peter, Adam, Moses, and David, observe the scene from the heavenly realm.
This work represents revealed truth (theology) as the counterpart to the rational truth (philosophy) depicted in the 'School of Athens' across the same room. It illustrates the Neoplatonic concept of a hierarchical cosmos where divine wisdom descends from the Godhead through the Holy Spirit to the earthly Church.