Room of the Signatureby Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio) (1483-1520)Raphael's Rooms The Room of the Segnatura contains Raphael's most famous frescoes. The room takes its name from the highest court of the Holy See; the 'Segnatura Gratiae et Iustitiae'; which was presided over by the pontiff and used to meet in this room around the middle of the 16th century. Originally the room was used by Julius II (pontiff from 1503 to 1513) as a library and private office. The iconographic programme of the frescoes; which were painted between 1508 and 1511; is related to this function. It was certainly established by a theologian and meant to represent the three greatest categories of the human spirit: Truth; Good and Beauty. RIGHT: School of AthensThe most famous philosophers of ancient times move within an imposing Renaissance architecture which is inspired by Bramante's project for the renewal of the early Christian basilica of St Peter.LEFT: ParnassusBeneath Poetry; Mount Parnassus is represented: the god Apollo; seated at the centre; plays the lyre surrounded by the nine Muses; protectresses of the arts; and by ancient and modern poets; among whom Homer (blind); Virgil and Dante are easily recognisable behind him; as well as the poetess Sapphos seated at the bottom left; with her name written on the scroll she holds in her left hand.Vatican Museums (Raphael's Rooms - Room of the Signature; Stanza della Segnatura)