Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16-34)
Tapestry Cartoon
about 1515-1516 (made)
about 1515-1516 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16-34)
The Raphael Cartoons are designs for tapestries and were commissioned from Raphael by Pope Leo X (reg. 1513-21) shortly after his election in 1513. The tapestries were intended to hang in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, built by one of Leo's predecessors Pope Sixtus IV (reg. 1471-84). The Chapel was primarily intended for the use of the Pope and the body of clergy and Laity immediately surrounding him. The decoration of the chapel under Sixtus addressed the lives of Moses and Christ. The tapestries continued this theme, illustrating scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul who were seen as the founders of the Christian Church, and reinforcing the legitimity of the Pope's authority and power. The resulting tapestries had in addition woven borders showing scenes from Leo's life and from the lives of Saint Paul, also designed by Raphael: the cartoons for these have not survived.
In this Cartoon, Paul preaches before the assembled Areopagus, the judicial council of Athens. His sermon was specifically addressed to the Gentiles, and the subject emphasises his special role of preaching to them.
The Raphael Cartoons are designs for tapestries and were commissioned from Raphael by Pope Leo X (reg. 1513-21) shortly after his election in 1513. The tapestries were intended to hang in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, built by one of Leo's predecessors Pope Sixtus IV (reg. 1471-84). The Chapel was primarily intended for the use of the Pope and the body of clergy and Laity immediately surrounding him. The decoration of the chapel under Sixtus addressed the lives of Moses and Christ. The tapestries continued this theme, illustrating scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul who were seen as the founders of the Christian Church, and reinforcing the legitimity of the Pope's authority and power. The resulting tapestries had in addition woven borders showing scenes from Leo's life and from the lives of Saint Paul, also designed by Raphael: the cartoons for these have not survived.
In this Cartoon, Paul preaches before the assembled Areopagus, the judicial council of Athens. His sermon was specifically addressed to the Gentiles, and the subject emphasises his special role of preaching to them.
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The Raphael Cartoons: Paul Preaching at Athens
The Raphael Cartoons are considered one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance. These huge, full-scale designs for tapestries were created by Raphael – one of the most important masters of the Renaissance period. Commissioned by Pope Leo X, shortly after his election in 1513, for the...
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The story of the Raphael Cartoons
The Raphael Cartoons are considered one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance in the UK. These huge, full-scale designs for tapestries were created by Raphael – one of the most important masters of the Renaissance period. Commissioned by Pope Leo X, shortly after his election in 151...
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Explore the Raphael Cartoons
The Raphael Cartoons are a set of seven full-scale designs for a series of tapestries created by Raphael and are considered one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16-34) |
| Materials and techniques | Bodycolour (glue tempera) on paper mounted on canvas in the late 17th century |
| Brief description | Raphael Cartoon Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16-34) |
| Physical description | Cartoon for a tapestry |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Lent by His Majesty The King |
| Object history | Acquired by the Prince of Wales, future King Charles I in 1623 |
| Summary | Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16-34) The Raphael Cartoons are designs for tapestries and were commissioned from Raphael by Pope Leo X (reg. 1513-21) shortly after his election in 1513. The tapestries were intended to hang in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, built by one of Leo's predecessors Pope Sixtus IV (reg. 1471-84). The Chapel was primarily intended for the use of the Pope and the body of clergy and Laity immediately surrounding him. The decoration of the chapel under Sixtus addressed the lives of Moses and Christ. The tapestries continued this theme, illustrating scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul who were seen as the founders of the Christian Church, and reinforcing the legitimity of the Pope's authority and power. The resulting tapestries had in addition woven borders showing scenes from Leo's life and from the lives of Saint Paul, also designed by Raphael: the cartoons for these have not survived. In this Cartoon, Paul preaches before the assembled Areopagus, the judicial council of Athens. His sermon was specifically addressed to the Gentiles, and the subject emphasises his special role of preaching to them. |
| Associated objects | |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | ROYAL LOANS.7 |
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| Record created | June 30, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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