Heraclitus (detail)Raphael

In Raphael's The School of Athens (1509–1511), this solitary figure, often identified as Heraclitus, embodies the Pre-Socratic philosopher's doctrine of change. Modeled on Michelangelo, his contemplative posture and isolation reflect the ancient Greek concept of flux and the melancholy associated with profound insight. This portrayal underscores Heraclitus’s philosophical focus on the ever-changing nature of existence.