At the dawn of the 16th century, the artistic landscape of Republican Florence became the stage for an extraordinary convergence of talent and ambition.
Three illustrious figures of the Italian Renaissance—Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael—found themselves vying for the favor of the city’s most influential patrons. On January 25, 1504, Florence’s leading artists gathered to determine the rightful home for Michelangelo’s nearly completed masterpiece, David. This pivotal meeting included Leonardo da Vinci, who, like Michelangelo, had recently returned to his birthplace, setting the scene for a creative rivalry that would shape the Renaissance.
The exhibition, beginning with Michelangelo’s acclaimed Taddei Tondo, delves into the competitive yet inspiring relationship between Michelangelo and Leonardo, and the profound impact they had on the youthful Raphael. Visitors will encounter some of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance drawing, including Leonardo’s Burlington House Cartoon and preparatory studies by both Leonardo and Michelangelo for their murals commissioned by the Florentine government for the newly built council hall in the Palazzo Vecchio.
Organised by the Royal Academy of Arts, London, in collaboration with the Royal Collection Trust and the National Gallery, this exhibition offers a captivating journey through the artistic rivalry and collaboration that defined a pivotal era in art history.
Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael
Florence, c. 1504
9 November 2024 – 16 February 2025
10am–6pm, Tuesdays to Sundays
10am-9pm, Fridays