Epitteto-filosofo-Raffaello

The philosopher is shown from the chest up, resting his head pensively on his left hand with a downward, contemplative gaze. He is depicted with a short, curly beard and wearing a simple tunic with a broad collar. This 19th-century print isolates and identifies a specific figure from Raphael’s larger Vatican composition to serve as a standalone portrait of ancient wisdom.

Epictetus was a foundational figure of Stoicism, a school of thought that deeply influenced Renaissance natural philosophy and moral ethics through its focus on internal self-governance. This print reflects the enduring legacy of Raphael’s 'School of Athens' as the definitive visual canon for representing the lineage of Western philosophical tradition.