**First Time At Auction**

Francesco Putinati (1775 to 1848). "School of Athens" after Raphael Sanzio da Urbino (1483 to 1520). Lead, 1825. Signed "F. Putinati / F. / A. 1825." Inscribed at base, "DEDICATA A S.A.I. L'ARCIDUCA RAINERI VICE RE DEL REGNO LOMB. VEN." A lovely lead relief by Francesco Putinati after the famous "School of Athens," painted in the Stanza della Segnatura in the Vatican by Raphael. An inscription at the bottom of the image states that it is dedicated to Archduke Rainer Joseph (1783 to 1853), Viceroy of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia and Archduke of Austria, whose portrait is shown in profile on the short column on the left of the scene. The top corners of the central archway feature abbreviated Latin inscriptions that translate to "Raphael Sanzio Painter" and "in the Vatican rooms." The artist has signed the relief "F. Putinati / F. / A. 1825" on the rectangular box on which the figure of Heraclitus leans. Size: 5.6" L x 3.3" W (14.2 cm x 8.4 cm)

One of the most famous paintings in Western art history, "The School of Athens" was noted for its accurate perspective projection, as well as its depiction of many of the famous philosophers of Ancient Greece with Plato and Aristotle at the center of the scene. Raphael invented his own iconography for identifying many of the philosophers, which is why many of their identities are unknown. Giorgio Vasari (1511 to 1574) claimed that many of the philosophers were rendered in the likeness of Italian Renaissance contemporaries when he published his first edition of "The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects" in 1550, 30 years after the death of Raphael.

Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, acquired before 2000

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#158369

Some light nicks to peripheries and slight bending to lower right corner. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice patina.