Description:
'The School at Athens' is a masterpiece, well known for showing excellent composition and depth. The diagonals used in the repeating floor and ceiling tiles brilliantly pull the viewer’s eyes from the corners, easily leading towards the center vanishing point. According to the coloured fabrics, one can sense the power of each individual. For example, Plato, who is placed as the center of attention, is draped in the powerful and influential colour of red. Excellent composition is again shown by the equal space between the two central figures, Plato and Aristotle, which gives the painting a powerful balance. Throughout history people have been fascinated with the identification of the individuals depicted and what they may symbolize. Those that have been positively identified using historical evidence are: Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Pythagorus, Euclid, Alcibiades, Diogenes, Ptolemy, Zoroaster and Raphael. All are interacting in several groups, creating a natural environment. The lighting comes from many different windows, and gives a message of intellectualness by the brightness in the room. Interestingly, the warm light is focused more on the people in the back, while shadow is slightly cast upon the figures towards the front. Again, the subtleness of this technique serves to pull the viewer deeper into the facinating masterwork.
You are viewing a hand colored print. The process begins with hand-pulled black & white decorative and antique reproduction prints. Each print is then individually designed and hand colored using the same methods of color application that were used throughout the 19th century, before modern color lithography. Individual artists meticulously paint each piece using the finest European watercolor paints on heavy mat, acid free, archival paper resistant to deterioration and discoloration. By combining old world craftsmanship with fresh design innovations, our artists create works of stunning depth and vibrancy that are absolutely beautiful and unique.
Limited editions are a series of identical prints, which are limited to a one-time printing of a certain number of pieces. The artist determines the size of the edition, and usually signs and numbers each individual piece. Limited edition prints framed by the Fulcrum Gallery are handled separately and given the utmost individual care and attention, using archival framing materials and practices. Because limited editions are in limited supply, and are of exceptionally high quality, the price is generally at a premium to regular open edition prints.
