Soon after Julius's tenure, the Biblioteca Julia was transformed according to the whims of his successors, first into a music room and subsequently into the Stanza della Segnatura, where the supreme tribunal of the Curia convened. The Curia is the body of congregations, tribunals, and offices through which the pope governs.

Raphael. Studies for the Disputa, 1509-1511, pen and brown ink. Collection: J. Paul Getty Museum

Raphael Emerges

Julius II invited a team of artists to join forces on his grand decorative enterprises in the papal palace. The circumstances in which Raphael emerged as the leading painter of the stanza are not entirely clear. What is certain is that he found in Julius a patron with vision and determination who helped support Raphael's explosion of genius. When Raphael reached Rome from Florence around 1508, he had enough experience in fresco painting as an assistant to Perugino and Pinturicchio to ensure a thorough knowledge of mural technique and its limitations. The great works by Leonardo and Fra Bartolomeo that he saw in Florence influenced his style and technique. In the Vatican, he began work in Julius' library, which had been assigned to the Lombard painter Sodoma and his German collaborator Johannes Rysch. Having perceived the younger master's innate talent, Julius apparently removed the other artists involved and engaged Raphael to continue the design single-handedly. Raphael then faced his first great challenge- to formulate a series of varied, yet unified, monumental frescoes and transform them into one overwhelming spectacle.

Iconography

The Stanza della Segnatura is decorated with the icons traditionally associated with libraries. Each wall is dedicated to a particular aspect of knowledge-Philosophy, Poetry, Jurisprudence, and Theology. Each of these abstract notions is personified on the ceiling by the image of a beautiful woman. Below them are large scenes that relate to each icon. Under the image of Philosophy are painted great ancient thinkers gathered on a podium with their followers in the School of Athens. Beneath Poetry are famous poets and literary figures assembled on Mount Parnassus. The establishment of significant codes of law is depicted beneath Jurisprudence. Under Theology is the Disputa, representing a theological discussion of the Eucharist, one of the seven sacraments and central mysteries of the Catholic faith.

The Disputa

The Disputa is thought to be the first of the stanza's frescos to be painted and a model for those that followed. The fresco is divided into three distinct zones. The crowning golden vault is reserved for the Heavens where God is attended by angels. Below, Christ with the Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist are seated on a cloudbank, slightly removed from the other biblical figures. Theologians, bishops and philosophers reacting to the Host's presence and meaning occupy the earthly level, which is also the viewer's. While this level is full of animation and commotion, God reigns above in an aura of peace and serenity. Julius II probably planned the Disputa's main elements with the help of one or more literary advisers, yet the true mind behind the resulting composition was undoubtedly Raphael's.