I will be giving a Gallery Talk on High Renaissance Florence and Rome, including this small exhibition, on Thursday 9th November and again on Tuesday 5th December, at the National Gallery. Please send me a message via the contact form on this website if you are interested in joining a group for this talk.
This is an exquisite display which highlights the relationship between the three artistic giants of High Renaissance Florence and Rome. It also reminds us of the incredible treasures of art which are here, freely available, on our doorstep in London.
Masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael from the National Gallery's own collection are exhibited alongside the mesmerising Taddei Tondo, on loan from the Royal Academy. Michelangelo's Taddei Tondo is his only marble sculpture in a British collection and is usually displayed, somewhat tucked-away, on a second-floor corridor at the RA.
Leonardo's detailed naturalism and scientific fascination imbue his works with vitality and humanism, whilst Raphael's serenely harmonious, idealised compositions inspire quiet contemplation and Michelangelo's emphasis on the human form in his expressive, energetic works results in heightened emotion.
Despite their highly individual approaches to art, these three great masters responded directly to each other artistically, as is demonstrated by the relationship between the works of art exhibited. Their friendships were respectful, yet with a rivalry that was at times acrimonious.
'Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael around 1500',
at the National Gallery until 28 January 2018
