Metropolitan Museum of Art to Present Major Raphael Retrospective, Reexamining Renaissance Master's Legacy

The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host a significant retrospective dedicated to Raphael (1483–1520) this spring, marking his first comprehensive exhibition in the United States. The Italian Renaissance painter, known for works like 'The School of Athens' and 'The Sistine Madonna,' died at age 37, leaving a substantial body of work that includes paintings, drawings, and architectural designs. Historically viewed as a model of efficiency and harmony, Raphael's reputation has evolved over centuries, with some critics like John Ruskin later criticizing his emphasis on style. The exhibition aims to present a more nuanced view of Raphael as a learned artist, researcher, and innovator who studied perspective, engaged with classical texts, and pioneered early art historical methods. His career included training under his father, periods in Florence and Rome, and becoming Pope Julius II's favored painter. Raphael was appointed architect of New St. Peter's Basilica and managed a large workshop. The retrospective will explore how his untimely death impacted his legacy, considering hypothetical developments had he lived longer, such as potential advancements in mural techniques, mythological paintings rivaling Titian, and architectural projects envisioning an ancient-inspired Rome. The exhibition also examines his collaborations, including engravings with Marcantonio Raimondi, and his interest in theater and historical preservation. Scholars suggest Raphael's approach to art as a subject for art influenced later Mannerism. The Met's presentation seeks to highlight his role as a devotional innovator and theoretical thinker, moving beyond traditional narratives.