The National Gallery's major spring exhibition focuses on the collaborative creative relationship between Michelangelo and his near-contemporary, the lesser-known Sebastiano del Piombo. This fascinating exhibition gives us an insight into the jealousies and rivalries within the fiercly competitive art scene of Renaissance Rome in the early 16th century.
Born in Venice, Sebastiano trained under Bellini and Giorgione in the Venetian use of colour, and was brought to Rome by the Pope's banker, while Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Ceiling for the Pope. Michelangelo invited Sebastiano on to the scaffolding of the Sistine vault, a rare honour and the start of a partnership that brought together two contrasting artistic traditions, the draughtsmanship of Florence and the painterly mood and proficiency with oil paint of Venice. Michelangelo provided the figurative detail in the form of anatomical and preparatory drawings for works such as Sebastiano's Raising of Lazarus (National Gallery, London) and Pieta (Museo Civico di Viterbo), both of which are given special focus in the exhibition.
Michelangelo and Sebastiano collaborated on the decoration of the Borgherini Chapel in the church of San Pietro in Montorio and this chapel has been recreated using digital technology so that the visitor is transported to Rome and experiences seeing the art in the place for which it was created.
Michelangelo's animosity towards his rival Raphael goes some way to explaining his encouragement of Seabstiano and, soon after Raphael's premature death in 1520, the artistic relationship between Michelangelo and Sebastiano ended with a catastrophic falling out.
Michelangelo & Sebastiano is at the National Gallery until 25th June 2017
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