According to a surviving contract, Raphael (1483-1520) was able to call himself a master at the age of 17 thanks to his painting skills. It was the beginning of a short, glorious career in which Raphael met and exceeded the tastes of his time like no other. His paintings are intellectual and sensitive, embodying the Italian Renaissance ideal. At the same time, Raphael navigated the complex political world of his time with sovereignty and, after the death of Donato Bramante in 1514, took over the management of the new construction of St. Peter's in Rome, arguably the most important commission for an artist of the time. A major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum in New York brings the painter, who for several centuries was considered the greatest painter of all time, back into the spotlight: Raphael: Sublime Poetry is on view in New York until June 28.
The show is the first comprehensive exhibition on Raphael in the United States. More than 200 of his works of art, including paintings, numerous tapestries, and drawings from private and public collections, are on display. The exhibits trace Raphael's journey from a young apprentice in Urbino, through his first glorious years in Florence, to his appointment in Rome, where he even somewhat overshadowed Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Raphael's ambivalence—he is considered the first to work with nude female models, yet at the same time was revered for his delicate portraits of the Madonna—has fascinated generations of artists and art lovers. The Metropolitan Museum's exhibition also attracts visitors with the latest scientific findings on Raphael's work and technique.
