Raphael and the Classical Canon

On the occasion of 500 years since his death, “Raphael and the Classical Canon” is an exhibition dedicated to Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483 – 1520), one of the greatest painters and architects from the High Renaissance.

Raphael is considered one of the most accomplished artists of all time; his works marked an essential path for all subsequent painters and established classical canons which were of vital importance for the development of the artistic language of the centuries to come.

Curated by Claudio Strinati, General Secretary of the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca, the exhibition narrates Raphael’s life and legacy, from his beginning in Umbria, to his transfer to Rome and the succeeding influence on future generations. It highlights Raphael’s establishment of the principles of classicism and his effect on the Italian figurative culture that continued until the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

The exhibition displays Raphael’s Putto reggifestone, presenting itself in all its exceptionality as the only “travelling” fresco by Raffaello Sanzio. The Putto is accompanied by artworks from leading artists such as il Perugino, Guido Reni, Pietro da Cortona, Federico Zuccari, Carlo Maratta, Francesco Hayez and Antonio Canova.

This project is the result of an important collaboration with lenders Accademia Nazionale di San Luca and Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.