See Carracci Cartoons while you can at National Gallery London

This spring, the National Gallery is set to unveil an extraordinary glimpse into Renaissance art with the presentation of the Carracci Cartoons in Room 1.

These monumental works, dating to around 1599, are rarely displayed due to their immense size and the delicate medium of charcoal and white chalk. At nearly four metres wide and two metres tall, the cartoons provide an extraordinary opportunity to step into the creative world of the Renaissance.

The Carracci Cartoons were created as working tools during the preparation for one of the most ambitious decorative endeavours of the late 16th century—the frescoed ceiling of the Palazzo Farnese gallery in Rome (now home to the French Embassy). Designed to prepare the transfer of intricate designs onto fresh plaster, these life-sized drawings reveal the technical mastery and inventive artistry of the Carracci brothers’ workshop.

Mythology, Masters, and the Palazzo Farnese

The two cartoons draw inspiration from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, a collection of ancient myths that Renaissance artists reimagined for their contemporaries. This project, commissioned by Odoardo Farnese, the younger son of the Duke of Parma, became a testament to both artistic excellence and Farnese family prestige.

Having inherited the palatial residence in 1592, Odoardo sought to enhance the building’s grandeur and engaged the renowned Carracci brothers—Annibale and Agostino—to bring his vision to life. Their work was heavily influenced by classical sculptures and the celebrated mural traditions of artists like Michelangelo and Raphael, resulting in a fresco that celebrated the loves of the gods. The gallery’s ceiling, adorned with mythological themes framed by painted architectural and sculptural elements, created an illusion that captivated all who beheld it.

This ambitious vision coincided with a significant event in 1600, the marriage of Odoardo’s elder brother, Ranuccio Farnese, the Duke of Parma, to Margherita Aldobrandini. Renowned as the Galleria Farnese, the project marked a turning point in Baroque art, inspiring future generations of artists such as Guido Reni, Francesco Albani, and Guercino, many of whom trained in the Carracci workshop.

Masterful Techniques and a Legacy Preserved

The techniques employed in creating the fresco and its preparatory cartoons are nothing short of remarkable. The cartoons are covered with small perforations, allowing the transfer of their designs onto wet plaster through the method of dusting. Visible cuts in the paper are further evidence of their practical use during the fresco’s execution.

Primarily attributed to Agostino Carracci with possible contributions from his younger brother Annibale, these drawings survive as rare relics of Renaissance artistry. Their preservation speaks to how highly they were valued, even shortly after their creation. Since entering the National Gallery’s collection in 1837 as part of Lord Francis Egerton’s gift, these works have continued to be a source of fascination and artistic study.

Dr Christine Siedel, Associate Curator (Renaissance Painting), commented on the importance of the cartoons, saying, “The Carracci cartoons are thrilling displays of creativity and imagination. We are delighted to present a fascinating glimpse into the creation of one of the most ambitious fresco decorations produced in Rome at the dawn of the Baroque.”

The Renaissance, Reimagined

The Carracci brothers, hailing from Bologna, were pivotal figures in re-establishing classical ideals in painting while laying the groundwork for the Baroque movement. Together with their older cousin, Lodovico Carracci, they established a monumental workshop in Bologna, training an entire generation of artists. Their ability to blend classical inspiration with innovative techniques made their work, and specifically the Galleria Farnese, a benchmark in Western art.

Visitors to the National Gallery can experience these intricacies firsthand through The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making. The exhibition promises a rare opportunity to decipher the artistic ingenuity behind the frescoes of one of Renaissance Rome’s crowning architectural jewels.

Through these immense drawings, museum-goers will explore not just the technical finesse of the Carracci brothers but also their creative genius. Delving into their vision, visitors can piece together the unique confluence of mythology, technique, and legacy that transformed their works into lasting icons of artistic excellence.

The exhibition runs alongside the C C Land Re-hang and will highlight the artistic spirit that made the Renaissance an enduring chapter in art history. Guests are invited to witness the intimate details of these cartoons and discover their role as the foundation for one of the most celebrated frescoes in art and architectural history.

NG 147
Agostino Carracci
Cephalus carried off by Aurora in her Chariot

Charcoal and white chalk on paper
202.5 × 398.8 cm
about 1599