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The Royal Academy of Arts’ latest exhibition, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504, is a masterclass in curatorial brilliance. Set within the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries, this tightly focused display captures a fleeting moment in art history when three of the Renaissance’s greatest minds converged in Florence. Running from 9 November 2024 to 16 February 2025, this exhibition is nothing short of miraculous, offering visitors a chance to glimpse the creative rivalry, inspiration, and the tantalizing “what ifs” of this golden era.
At its heart lies the tension between Michelangelo and Leonardo, both summoned back to Florence by the city’s Republican government. Central to this was their contribution to the Palazzo Vecchio’s council hall, where they were commissioned to depict epic battles that showcased Florence’s military triumphs. The show highlights their preparatory sketches and drawings, including Michelangelo’s studies of the muscular male nude for the Battle of Cascina and Leonardo’s intricate horse sketches for the Battle of Anghiari. Both murals, tragically lost to history, are reimagined here through comparative pieces, allowing us to marvel at their ambition and artistic genius.
The Taddei Tondo by Michelangelo, a luminous marble relief of the Virgin and Child with the Infant Saint John, anchors the exhibition, while Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon dazzles with its lifelike vitality. Together, these works underscore the differences between Michelangelo’s muscular precision and Leonardo’s ethereal grace. Raphael, then the young upstart, absorbs this dynamic tension, represented in works that show his development as he learned from—and ultimately rivaled—his older contemporaries.
The exhibition is intimate yet profound, with the artworks lit like relics, each piece radiating historical significance. While the scholarly presentation occasionally leaves one wishing for more narrative clarity, the sheer artistry on display is awe-inspiring.
This is more than an exhibition; it’s an exploration of artistic genius, human ambition, and the fleeting moments that define cultural history. A must-see for art lovers, the show bridges the centuries, offering a glimpse into the brilliance of Renaissance Florence.
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: A Must-See Exhibition at Buckingham Palace
For anyone captivated by the genius of the Renaissance, Drawing the Italian Renaissance at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, is an unmissable celebration of the artistry that flourished between 1450 and 1600. This extraordinary exhibition brings together an unparalleled collection of 160 drawings, showcasing works by legendary masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian, alongside pieces by lesser-known yet equally talented artists.
Masterpieces on Display
Among the highlights is Leonardo da Vinci’s exploratory sketches, such as a bustling sheet of designs for the Virgin and Child composition, brimming with raw creativity, and his meticulously rendered study The Drapery of a Kneeling Figure, complete with the artist’s faint fingerprint in the corner. In contrast, Michelangelo’s A Children’s Bacchanal, drawn with delicate strokes of red chalk, captures a remarkably accomplished yet playful scene created as a gift for a Roman nobleman.
The exhibition also unveils hidden treasures, including Bernardino Campi’s The Virgin and Child, a rare cartoon used for transferring designs, and a stunning reattributed portrait by Pietro Faccini, displayed in the UK for the first time in decades. With over 30 works debuting in this exhibition and 12 more never seen before in the UK, the show offers fresh perspectives on this transformative period of art history.
Interactive and Contemporary Connections
Drawing the Italian Renaissance also highlights the enduring significance of drawing. Visitors can watch contemporary artists, such as Jesse Ajilore, sketching in the gallery as part of the Artists in Residence programme, organised in partnership with the Royal Drawing School. Inspired guests are invited to participate, with paper and pencils provided, or delve into the craft further with the newly released Be Inspired: To Draw Like a Renaissance Master workbook, featuring insights and exercises to connect with the techniques of the past.
A Celebration of Art and History
Running until Sunday, 9 March, this exhibition is an unprecedented opportunity to immerse yourself in the artistry, innovation, and techniques that defined the Renaissance. From functional design sheets to breathtakingly intricate masterpieces, Drawing the Italian Renaissance is an inspiring journey through the imagination of some of history’s greatest minds—a must-see for art lovers and curious visitors alike.
