Prince of the Renaissance

Published by
Proma Chakraborty

To commemorate the works of Renaissance painter and architect Raphael on his 500th death anniversary, the India International Centre is hosting an online exhibition

Born Raffaello Sanzio, Raphael was crowned the ‘Prince of Painters’ by Giorgio Vasari, a 16th-century biographer of artists. Commemorating his 500th death anniversary India International Centre is organising an online exhibition titled The Prince of Painters – Raphael 1483-1520’.

Raphael was way beyond just a painter. An architect of the Italian High Renaissance, he was one of the most influential and naturally gifted artists in the history of art. This exhibition aims to celebrate his enduring legacy.

The online show presents a selection of 26 paintings from Raphael’s early period to the Florentine years, ending with the Roman period. Accompanying the exhibition is a webinar recording of ‘Raffaello: A Painter called Master’ with Caterina Brazzi Castracane, historian, author and tour guide who presents an illustrated lecture on the life and works of the great master.

One can also view the virtual tour of the artworks currently on display at a major exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome which brings together numerous artworks from different museums.

Among the works displayed, it features ‘The Sistine Madonna’ – perhaps the most thoroughly discussed and analysed of all Raphael’s paintings. More than one lengthy monograph has been devoted to it, yet questions of interpretation remain unanswered. Commissioned in 1512 by Pope Julius II for the church of San Sisto, Piacenza, the canvas was one of the last Madonnas painted by Raphael.

The Sistine Madonna

On display is another one of Raphael’s greatest masterpieces ‘The School of Athens’. The scene takes place in classical times, as both the architecture and the garments indicate. The main figures, Plato and Aristotle, are shown in the centre, engaged in a dialogue.

Raphael’s career falls naturally into three phases and three styles, first described by Vasari: his early years in Umbria, then a period of about four years (1504-08) absorbing the artistic traditions of Florence, followed by his hectic and triumphant 12 years in Rome, working for two Popes and their close associates.

The exhibition is on display at the website of IIC till June 28

(Cover: The School of Athens)

Proma Chakraborty

Published by
Proma Chakraborty

Recent Posts

Chronic kidney diseases may accelerate cognitive decline; effects sex-specific: Study

The decline is primarily due to damage to the "heart-brain link" triggered by chronic kidney…

December 5, 2025

Café du Jardin: where Delhi trades concrete for croissants along a revived Yamuna

A French-style open-air café is drawing Delhiites back to a river they long forgot

December 5, 2025

Realme P4x 5G debuts in India with 7,000mAh battery, 45W fast charging

The handset features a dual rear cameras, 6.72-inch 144Hz display, IP64 water resistance, and up…

December 5, 2025

Illegal bar busted in north-west Delhi; 25 people, including customers, held

Delhi Police raided a late-night illegal bar in Samaypur Badli, detaining 25 people and seizing…

December 5, 2025

Tamil Nadu Police bus, car gutted in fire after collision in Delhi, no casualty

A rear-end crash near Delhi Haat triggered a blaze that gutted both vehicles, though no…

December 5, 2025

Red Fort blast: Court extends NIA custody of accused Soyab by 10 days

Court grants probe agency more time as NIA pursues wider links in Red Fort blast…

December 5, 2025