Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence c. 1504 at Royal Academy of Arts Review

Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence c. 1504 at Royal Academy of Arts Review

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Posted 2024-12-06 by Alison in Birmingham follow

Sat 09 Nov 2024 - Sun 16 Feb 2025



There was a pivotal moment in history when the greats Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael came together in one place. The master, the rising star and the young lesser known student all in Florence - and a fascinating new exhibition in London is homing in on that.

'Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504' exhibition runs at the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries in the Royal Academy of Arts until February 16.

It's worth getting an audio guide to understand the rivalries and politics with each of them affected by the others, particularly a young Raphael who was looking over their shoulders and about to shake things up.

The setting is January 1504, when Florence's most prominent artists are brought together to discuss the best spot for Michelangelo's 'David' when it is finished. The three men would have no doubt crossed paths.



There's a mix of work from all three artists including some of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance drawing. Some including delicate charcoal sketches have even been loaned from the King, Charles, but on top of that, there are also incredible historic pieces that tie in.

One of those is an edition of Cicero's letters owned by a Florentine chancellery official, which has annotations mentioning how da Vinci was working on a piece that we know today as the 'Mona Lisa.' It's jaw-dropping stuff.

The whole exhibition transports visitors back to the Italian Renaissance. While there are star pieces like da Vinci's 'Burlington House Cartoon,' pictured below, and Michelangelo's marble of 'The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John The Baptist,' it's the sketches that give a view into their creative processes.



Seeing da Vinci's work alongside Raphael's is enlightening too especially how much the aspiring artist was looking to his elders.

Among my favourites was a small notebook of da Vinci's that had tiny sketches inside with his tell-tale pencil marks. Some drawings even show his interest in mechanical devices and give a greater insight into his genius, along with his frenzied mind.

For those interested in seeing more of da Vinci's work at the Royal Academy of Art, walk over to the adjacent gallery as there is a huge copy of his famous The Last Supper painting.

The exhibition is supported by Rocco Forte Hotels, the Huo Family Foundation, Christian Levett and Musee FAMM and the Magic Trust.



See the Royal Academy website here for ticket information and bookings. Tickets cost £19 - 21.' Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence c. 1504' at the Royal Academy of Arts continues until February 16, 2025.

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297581 - 2024-11-14 13:13:46

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