Raphael: The Drawings, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, until 3rd September 2017
Study for Adam in the Disputa, c. 1508–10
Chalk and/or charcoal with white heightening, 35.7 x 21.2 cm
© Gallerie degli Uffizi, Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe, Florence
Did you know that the Ashmolean’s fifty Raphael drawings are the most significant group in the world? They have been supplemented by a further twenty-five from Vienna’s Albertina Museum and the rest of the total group of one hundred and twenty drawings come from international collections. The result is an absolutely stunningly memorable exhibition which is a joy to visit.
Study for the Massacre of the Innocents, c. 1509–10
Pen and brown ink over red chalk and geometrical indications in stylus, selectively pricked for transfer, 23.2 x
37.7 cm
© Trustees of the British Museum
Raphael (1483 – 1520) has long held the reputation of being the pre-eminent artist of the Renaissance and through these drawings which take us from the early days in Umbria to Florence and then on to Rome where he was at his very best we can see why.
Study for Charity, c. 1519
Black chalk with very few touches of white heightening, 31.3 x 15.2 cm
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
The exhibition also reminded me why I am always attracted to drawings since they allow glimpses into the mind and vision of the artist – ideas that both intrigue and excite – but which may not always be translated into the finished work. Please, please make every effort to see this show. The Museum’s director Dr Xa Sturgis says: ‘The generosity of lenders and supporters has enabled us to give people a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity – that of experiencing the visual and emotive power of Raphael’s hand, and of understanding Raphael’s genius.’
Studies of heads and hands, and sketches after Leonardo, c. 1505–7
Metalpoint with white heightening, partially oxidised, on white prepared paper, 21 x 27.4 cm
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
The heads and hands of two apostles, c. 1519–20
Black chalk with over-pounced underdrawing with some white heightening, 49.9 x 36.4 cm
© Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford
![Liu Dan (b.1953) Redefining Pleats of Matter 縐褶被重新確定 Ink on paper 200.0cm by 301.0cm Signed: Jinling Liu Dan hua, (Painted by Liu Dan of Jinling [Nanjing])](https://tfeanda.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/redefiningmatter.jpg)
![Liu Dan (b.1953) Taihu Rock of the Shaoyuan Garden 五 勺园太湖石 水墨本 跋：此米万勺园太湖石今存北京大学可博物乙未仲夏刘丹写于北京并 印：刘丹之印 Ink on paper 309.0cm by 199.0cm Inscribed: Ci Mi Wanzhong Shaoyuan Taihushi jin cun Beijing daxue Saikele bowuguan yiwei zhongxia Liu Dan xie yu Beijing bing shu. (This Taihu rock of the Shaoyuan Garden, which belonged to Mi Wanzhong, is now in the Sackler Museum, Peking University. Written and painted by Liu Dan in Beijing in mid-summer of the yiwei year [2015].) Artist’s seal: Liu Dan zhi yin, (Liu Dan’s seal)](https://tfeanda.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/liu-dan-taihu-rock-of-the-shaoyuan-garden.jpg)
Tim Forrest's E & A 