Raphael Next Door Says He's 'Fine With It, Genuinely'

Raphael, who has spent these years painting the papal apartments down the hall, including the School of Athens, says he has no feelings about the ceiling whatsoever. Art historians note he appears to have painted a brooding figure of Heraclitus there that looks a lot like Michelangelo.

'It's a tribute,' Raphael insisted, smiling a great deal. Michelangelo has long suspected rivals of conspiring against him. Both men are being kept in separate rooms, which is easy, because the Vatican has plenty.

Satire. For what actually happened, see the “What really happened” box in the full issue.

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