Raphael’s Drawings Exhibited at the Palais des Beaux Arts in Lille

An exceptional effort at Palais des Beaux-Arts in Lille brings together painter and collector Jean-Baptiste Wicar’s entire collection of Raphael drawings.

The exhibition reawakens the Renaissance genius in 40 breathtaking works, rarely shown because of their fragility, from his first commissions up to his untimely death in 1520. The presentation of these drawings is complemented by loans of remarkable paintings from the Musée du Louvre, the Royal Collection Trust and the National Gallery in London, as well as the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid and the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria in Perugia.

Aided by digital tools to better understand the works, visitors can get closer than ever to the artist’s creative process. Raphael’s drawings served as the starting point for his compositions, capturing the elusive first creative spark which is then translated into often large-format paintings. Motivated by commissions and artistic friendships, Raphael’s career was significantly shaped by his geographical location, so the exhibition also allows visitors to retrace the footsteps of the great master between three city-states of Renaissance Italy: Perugia, Florence and Rome.

Until February 17, pba.lille.fr

From France Today Magazine