Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and now Raphael take centre stage once more, as New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art unveils a sweeping retrospective dedicated to the youngest of the three great masters of the Italian Renaissance. Opening this Friday, the exhibition invites visitors into the refined and luminous world of Raffaello di Giovanni Santi, whose brief yet extraordinary life left an enduring imprint on Western art.
Titled “Raphael: Sublime Poetry”, the exhibition traces the artist’s remarkable journey from his early training in the cultured court of Urbino, where he absorbed the ideals of harmony and proportion, to the grandeur of the papal court in Rome. There, Raphael rose to prominence under the patronage of powerful popes, producing some of the most celebrated works of the High Renaissance before his untimely death in 1520 at just 37 years old.
The retrospective brings together 175 works, carefully curated by Carmen Bambach, a leading specialist in Italian Renaissance art. It marks the first major exhibition in the United States devoted exclusively to Raphael, offering an unprecedented opportunity to explore both the breadth and intimacy of his artistic practice. Among the highlights are the earliest known painting Raphael completed independently, revealing the seeds of his emerging genius, alongside a selection of intricate tapestries designed for the Sistine Chapel, which demonstrate his ability to translate painterly vision into other mediums.
Yet what sets this exhibition apart is its thoughtful juxtaposition of finished masterpieces with preparatory drawings. These sketches, often overlooked, provide a rare glimpse into Raphael’s creative process. Through them, visitors witness the evolution of composition, gesture and expression, as if standing just behind the artist’s shoulder while he experiments and refines his ideas. Bambach describes these works as deeply intimate, revealing not only technical brilliance but also the humanity behind the perfection.
Raphael’s influence, the exhibition suggests, extends far beyond his own lifetime. His idealised human figures, marked by grace, balance and clarity, became the standard for artistic excellence for nearly three centuries, shaping generations of painters across Europe.
Enhancing the experience, acclaimed Italian-American actress Isabella Rossellini lends her voice to the exhibition’s audio guide, guiding visitors through Raphael’s world with insight and elegance. Drawing on masterpieces loaned from institutions including the renowned Louvre Museum, the exhibition stands as a rare convergence of global artistic heritage.
“Raphael: Sublime Poetry” runs through June 28, 2026, offering audiences a fleeting yet unforgettable encounter with one of history’s most graceful and influential artists. — AFP
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