Study for St Paul Preaching in Athens Raphael Buy Art Prints Now
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Tom Gurney BSc (Hons) is an art history expert with over 20 years experience
Published on June 19, 2020 / Updated on October 14, 2023
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This study sketch from 1515 is currently in the permanent collection of the Uffizi Gallery, in Florence, Italy

Chalk continues to be Raphael's prefered tool here, as with most of his other drawings. This detailed piece outlines some of the artistic qualities found within the High Renaissance.

The final completed painting was finished shortly after clearly benefitted from the preparation time invested by a hard working Raphael. That version was made from Tempera on paper, mounted on canvas and now resides at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Raphael would change the positions of most of the secondary figures by the time he planned the final painting, but St Paul's posture in this drawing remained relatively unchanged. One figure in the background would actually be removed completely. There are many who believe that models from the artist's own studio would have been used for this drawing.

The complex painting would add Roman buildings and statues as well as further figures and increased detail.