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About This Work
The fresco is divided into a celestial upper tier and an earthly lower tier centered on a monstrance containing the Eucharist. Above, Christ sits in glory flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist, while below, historical theologians, popes, and Church Fathers engage in a lively discussion around an altar. The vaulted ceiling above features a tondo personifying Theology, who holds a book and is surrounded by golden rays.
As part of the Stanza della Segnatura, this work represents 'Revealed Truth' (Theology) in a Neoplatonic program that balances it against 'Rational Truth' (Philosophy) shown in the School of Athens. It reflects the Renaissance effort to harmonize Christian doctrine with the hierarchical structures of the cosmos and classical intellectual traditions.