Raphael Cartoons at V&A

 During the week I found out some more about  Renaissance  artist Raphael in general and the famous
Cartoons on show at the V&A. For some time I've delighted in seeing the copy of 'School of Athens' that's in the cast room by Anton Raphael Mengs 

One of the things I had not realised is that Raphael died before he reached his full potential at the age of just 37.

Like many artists of his time (and place) he relied on the patronage of the Catholic Church. 

When Raphael was selected to add Tapestry to the Sistine Chapel it was laready 'busy' with design elements including a decorated ceiling.

The realisation of the Cartoons was a major project involving more than 200 pieces  of  work of a size each of them being  around an A3 sheet.

The weaving was done by skilled workers and there are several versions in existence - as Prince Albert was fond of Raphael's work  work the V&A was thought of as a suitable place to show the works and they've been on show for most of the last 150 years


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