St. Paul Preaching at Athens (cartoon for the Sistine Chapel) 1515

"St. Paul Preaching at Athens" (1515) is a cartoon by the Italian Renaissance master Raphael, depicting the biblical story of St. Paul's missionary work in Athens. The drawing, a preliminary study for a fresco intended for the Sistine Chapel, showcases Raphael's signature clarity and balanced composition. It's a dynamic scene with St. Paul gesturing dramatically as he addresses a crowd of attentive Athenian philosophers. The artwork is now housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London, and offers a glimpse into Raphael's creative process and his masterful handling of perspective and figure drawing.