The School of Athens
The University acquired a copy of Raphael's School of Athens for the Public Hall in the Annex during the 1850s. The money for the purchase of the painting was raised by subscription and Paul Balze was commissioned to make the copy. "The School of Athens Scrapbook" was kept by William A. Pratt and documents the process of the painting's acquisition. This copy of the painting was lost in the Great Fire. A second copy was commissioned by McKim, Mead & White through the American Academy in Rome, and today hangs behind the stage of Cabell Hall.