A Celebration in the Old Master Drawings Cabinet

Raphael’s drawings in the Old Master Drawings Cabinet – explore this display with a House & garden or House, garden & farmyard ticket.

This year we celebrate 500 years since the death of the Italian artist Raffaelo Santi, known as Raphael (1483-1520). He is still considered one of the three greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance, along with Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

To mark this occasion, we have chosen ten of Raphael’s drawings, bringing them together here for the first time, in two intimate displays throughout the year. From March until October, visitors can get close to these drawings and his techniques, which show studies of human form and composition for larger works, including his Transfiguration painting now in the Vatican Museum.

Usually kept in climate-controlled storage, the 500 year-old drawings are fragile and once they have been displayed here, they will need to be in darkness before further display.