Raphael, after Michelangelo Buonarroti, David, c. 1505-08. The Trustees of the British Museum.
At the turn of the 16th century, three titans of the Italian Renaissance – Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) and Raphael (1482-1520) – briefly crossed paths, competing for the attention of the most powerful patrons in Republican Florence.
In 1504 Michelangelo finished his marble David and Leonardo took part in the discussions to decide where it should go. Later that year Raphael arrived in Florence, where his work was transformed by the influence of the two feuding masters. ARTscapades’ special two-day study course with Dr Richard Stemp explores how this explosive combination of events and personalities is reflected in the Royal Academy’s landmark exhibition opening on 9 November..
Includes two lectures, Q&A and a short break. Tickets £20
Lecture One: Having studied Michelangelo and Leonardo in week one, Raphael’s turn comes in week two. We look at the thorough drawings he made as part of his developmental process. But as well as using this technique to refine his own paintings, he also used drawing as a way of learning from fellow artists, and to share his own ideas with others. Most explicit are his drawings of specific works, such as the delicate study of Michelangelo’s David held by the British Museum.
Lecture Two: In the second half of this session, we draw everything we have seen together to think about what the Royal Academy’s exhibition reveals about the lives, the careers, and the interactions between three of history’s most revered artists. To what extent did they really learn from each other? How is their rivalry made manifest? And what was it about the year 1504 that makes it so important that an exhibition has been dedicated to it 520 years later?
To book for Part One of SHORT COURSE Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence c.1504 please click here.
The Exhibition Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence c. 1504 is at the Royal Academy of Arts from 9 November 2024 to 16 February 2025.
Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.