WHAT? Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael: Florence, c1504

WHERE? Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens, London W13 3ET

WHEN? Now until 16th February 2025 

WHY GO? To marvel at the Masters.  It doesn’t get more illustrious than these three great Italian names heading up this glorious exhibition of Renaissance art and anyone who misses this show, misses an opportunity to see them pitted against each other in an atmosphere of potent artistic rivalry.

Tightly curated, playing to each artist’s individual strengths, it explores the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo and their influence over a younger Raphael.

All were commissioned during the glory days of the Italian Renaissance by Royal, rich and Papal patrons and over 40 masterly works collectively are on display from fine drawings and rich paintings to the three show stoppers; Michelangelo’s marble sculpture in the round, The Taddei Tondo, Leonardo’s The Burlington House Cartoon and Raphael’s The Esterhazy Madonna. 

To see these three masterpieces displayed together is a privilege.

Take time to read the gossipy snippets unravelling each artist’s personalities which help decipher their individual styles with Raphael declared as the ‘child prodigy’. He sadly died too young at the age of 37 but left a legacy that certainly endorses that statement.

IN THE KNOW Inspired? The RA are offering Silverpoint drawing classes, a traditional technique favoured by the Renaissance trio. Created by dragging a silver rod or wire across the surface, silverpoint drawing has been in use since ancient times.

Drawing from real life models and antique casts in the RA’s iconic drawing room, it’s an opportunity for would-be artists.