Raphael's Legacy Reunited: The Colonna Altarpiece at The Met

This spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosting “Raphael: Sublime Poetry,” the largest exhibition of the Italian Renaissance master Raphael in the United States, running from March 29 to June 28, 2026. This unprecedented exhibition will feature over 200 works, including more than 170 drawings, paintings, tapestries, and decorative arts from various public and private collections worldwide. Notably, the exhibition will present the complete Colonna Altarpiece for the first time since its disassembly around 1663, allowing viewers to experience the artwork as Raphael originally intended.

First major Raphael exhibition in the U.S. opens at The MetNational Geographic

The Colonna Altarpiece, created for nuns in Perugia, is a significant work that showcases Raphael's early mastery. Its main panel and lunette, depicting the sacra conversazione, were gifted to the Met by J. Pierpont Morgan's son in the early 20th century. Other components of the altarpiece are coming from various locations, including the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Carmen C. Bambach, curator at the Met, emphasizes the importance of reuniting these fragile panels, stating that it restores the “visual impact” and “majesty” of the original ensemble.

National GeographicFirst major Raphael exhibition in the U.S. opens at The Met

Born Raffaello di Giovanni Santi in 1483, Raphael's career spanned a mere 37 years, yet he profoundly influenced Western art. The exhibition traces his evolution from early works in Città di Castello, where he studied under Pietro Perugino, to his time in Florence, where he absorbed the styles of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. His later years in Rome saw him become the favored artist of Popes Julius II and Leo X, overseeing significant projects, including the frescoes in the Vatican.

First major Raphael exhibition in the U.S. opens at The MetMet exhibition explores Raphael’s legacy beyond the legend of his early death

Despite his acclaim, Raphael's legacy has been subject to scrutiny. Critics like John Ruskin in the 19th century dismissed him as a mere stylist, favoring charm over substance. The exhibition aims to challenge this narrative, presenting Raphael not only as a painter of Madonnas but as a theoretical thinker and master collaborator. The potential impact of his untimely death raises questions about the artistic innovations he might have achieved had he lived longer.

Met exhibition explores Raphael’s legacy beyond the legend of his early death

Max Hollein, The Met’s Marina Kellen French Director and Chief Executive Officer, remarked on the exhibition's significance, stating, “This unprecedented exhibition will offer a groundbreaking look at the brilliance and legacy of Raphael.” Bambach described the seven-year journey of curating the exhibition as an extraordinary opportunity to engage with Raphael's artistic personality.

First major Raphael exhibition in the U.S. opens at The Met

As the exhibition opens, it invites visitors to reconsider Raphael's contributions beyond his well-known works. By exploring the “what ifs” of his life, the Met's retrospective offers a chance to appreciate the depth of his artistry and the monumental future he was forced to leave behind. The exhibition not only reunites the Colonna Altarpiece but also serves as a platform for understanding Raphael's lasting influence on art and architecture.

First major Raphael exhibition in the U.S. opens at The Met