Raphael Court refresh will mark 500 years since Renaissance artist’s death

The Victoria & Albert Museum has appointed Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios to mastermind the refurbishment of its Raphael Court gallery, which houses the Renaissance artist’s cartoons.

Museum bosses said the project would start on-site in January for completion in “late 2020” – marking 500 years since Raphael’s death at the age of 37 in 1520.

Inside the V&A's Raphael Court gallery

Source: V&A

Inside the V&A’s Raphael Court gallery

The V&A said FCBS would be the “3D designers for the refurbishment”, while Studio ZNA would create an LED lighting scheme that would reduce reflections on the glass and boost visibility of the works, which are on loan from the Queen’s Royal Collection.

The cartoons, which each measure around 5m by 3.5m, depict scenes from the lives of St Peter and St Paul. They were created in 1515 as blueprints for tapestries destined for the Sistine Chapel, and seven of the original 10 were brought to England in the 17th century by the future Charles I.

One of the seven Raphael Cartoons at the V&A: Paul Preaching at Athens.

Source: Royal Collection Trust / V&A

One of the seven Raphael Cartoons at the V&A: Paul Preaching at Athens

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