Alcibiades and Two Philosophers

The drawing Alcibiades and Two Philosophers is attributed to an artist working after Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael Italian (1483-1520), likely created sometime between 1700 and 1799. This piece is executed primarily using metalpoint and black chalk, techniques popular for detailed preliminary studies or reproductive drawings. The support is pale blue-toned cream laid paper, which provides a subtle color ground that enhances the fine, delicate lines of the metalpoint work. Traces of white chalk are evident, suggesting the artist utilized the trois crayons method or sought to define highlights and volume in the classical figures.

Although created nearly three centuries after Raphael’s death, this drawing demonstrates the enduring influence of the High Renaissance master’s classical compositions, which were widely disseminated through copies and published engravings. The subject matter, featuring the Athenian statesman Alcibiades interacting with two philosophers, reflects the prevalent interest in antiquity, moral philosophy, and great historical narratives that characterized the neoclassical movement in 18th-century Italy.

This work serves as an important document illustrating the process of artistic homage and the academic study of canonical figures during the Enlightenment era. Today, this significant drawing, Alcibiades and Two Philosophers, is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Owing to the age and art historical importance of works related to Raphael, high-resolution images and prints of similar material are frequently made available under public domain licenses for scholarly research and appreciation.