Figure studies (after Raphael's Disputa)

Figure studies (after Raphael's Disputa) by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) is a powerful example of preparatory drawing originating from the High Renaissance period, generally dated between 1500 and 1600. Executed with skillful precision in pen and brown ink, this study demonstrates the artist's foundational approach to composition, focusing intensely on the accurate rendering of the human form before the final transfer to fresco.

Raphael created this type of drawing while planning or executing the monumental Disputa (Disputation of the Holy Sacrament) fresco cycle in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. This sheet isolates specific elements, likely figures destined for the heavenly or earthly assembly, allowing the master to study movement and proportion. The inclusion of preparatory male nudes, common practice among Renaissance masters, allowed Raphael to determine core musculature, posture, and the behavior of clothing across the body before realizing the composition on a grand scale. Such intensive figure work was central to the rigorous training and technical requirements of the Roman school during the early sixteenth century.

The energetic and confident application of brown ink provides unique insight into the immediacy of Raphael's creative process. Drawings like this served as essential design documents and remained highly valued by collectors both contemporary and subsequent. Currently classified as a drawing, this piece is part of the esteemed holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Due to its cultural importance and the age of the original artwork, this celebrated study is often available for scholarly research and reproduction; high-quality prints reflecting the original ink work are widely accessible through public domain archives.