Philosophy (ceiling tondo)

1509-1511
High Renaissance
Allegorical painting
Fresco
180 cm
Apostolic Palace (Vatican, Italy)

Story

The woman enthroned is enveloped in a garment that has four colours, each of which represents one of the four elements, which in turn are symbolized by their pattern. Blue is for the stars (air), red is for the tongues of flame (fire), green is for the fish (water), and golden brown is for the flora (earth). Philosophy holds two books with the titles "Morals" and "Nature," while two genii hold texts with Cicero's words Causarum Cognitio (Know the Causes). This picture is situated above The School of Athens.

More on https://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/r/raphael/4stanze/1segnatu/5/1tondo1.html