Click on the title of this painting to get an explanation of its subject, as well as of its (to us) unexpected name.
If you click on the painting itself while holding down the Command key, you will get an explanation of its pictoral organization, and a compari- son of it to the “School of Athens.”
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The Dispute over the Sacrament
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The Dispute over the Sacrament
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“The Dispute over the Sacrament” is very much a companion piece to the
“School of Athens.” The latter shows philosophers at their occupation, discussing philosophical issues. The “Dispute” shows churchmen—recent and from the distant past—engaging in a similar activity: discussing a theological issue, in this case the sacrament of the Eucharist. “Dispute” misses the sense of the Italian “disputa,” which in this context simply implies a profound theological consideration of multiple views.
To left and right of the altar are recognizable Church Fathers. Above the altar, easily recognizable saints and the three persons of God.