On 25 January 1504, the most prominent artists of Florence convened to deliberate on a fitting location for Michelangelo’s nearly finished masterpiece, David.
Among this illustrious assembly was Leonardo da Vinci, who, like Michelangelo, had recently returned to his native city. The upcoming exhibition, “Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c. 1504,” aims to delve into the rivalry between these two titans of the Renaissance and examine the significant influence they exerted on the young Raphael.
This exhibition will showcase over 40 remarkable works, including Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo, Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, and Raphael’s Bridgewater Madonna, as well as some of the most exquisite drawings from the Italian Renaissance. Opening with Michelangelo’s only marble sculpture in the UK, the celebrated Taddei Tondo, c. 1504-05 (Royal Academy of Arts, London), attendees will witness the related preparatory drawings that illuminate the creation of this iconic relief. Created amid the vibrant atmosphere of Republican Florence, when Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael intersected in their artistic pursuits, the Taddei Tondo profoundly influenced Raphael’s work, evident in pieces like the Bridgewater Madonna, c. 1507-08 (Bridgewater Collection Loan, National Galleries of Scotland), and the Esterházy Madonna, c. 1508 (Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest), both of which will be displayed prominently.
The central gallery of the exhibition will be dedicated to Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon, c. 1506-08 (The National Gallery, London), marking its return to the Royal Academy for the first time in over six decades. The display, along with the accompanying catalogue, will unveil new research into the original context of this significant work. The exhibition will culminate in a section showcasing drawings that highlight the legendary encounters between Leonardo and Michelangelo. In 1503, the Government of Florence commissioned Leonardo to create a monumental mural of the Battle of Anghiari for its newly constructed council hall, while Michelangelo was later asked to paint the accompanying Battle of Cascina. Despite both projects remaining unfinished, the exhibition will unite the much-admired preparatory drawings from various European collections, including a notable group lent by His Majesty The King from the Royal Collection, offering a captivating insight into the artistic approaches of both masters. The exhibition will conclude with a drawing by Raphael, c. 1505-06 (Ashmolean Museum, Oxford), in which he meticulously copies the central scene of Leonardo’s Battle of Anghiari, highlighting the enduring legacy of these three monumental artists.
Dates and Opening Hours
Saturday 9 November 2024 – Sunday 16 February 2025
10am – 6pm Tuesday to Sunday
10am – 9pm Friday
Admission
From £19; concessions available; under 16s go free (T&Cs apply); Friends of the RA go free.
25 & Under: 16 to 25 year olds can access a half-price ticket (T&Cs apply).