The Dresden Tapestries and their Impact

COLUMBUS, OHIO: The Columbus Museum of Art is the only American venue for the exhibition “Raphael—The Power of Renaissance Images: The Dresden Tapestries and their Impact.”

The exhibition centers around six tapestries, woven in the 17th century, on loan from the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister (Old Masters Picture Gallery of Dresden), Germany, one of Europe’s most renowned museums.

Around 1516 Raphael completed drawings for tapestries commissioned to hang in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. Although they were not woven until after his death, the Dresden tapestries were based on Raphael’s designs.

Each tapestry depicts a scene from the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles, focused on the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul. Their inspired themes and powerful style inspired future generations of artists for centuries to come.

In the second part of the exhibition includes Raphael’s drawings. This section examines his paintings and the influence they had on the tapestries. Also on view are other paintings, prints, drawings, and ceramic ware, all created by artists influenced by Raphael’s designs. Included are noted Renaissance and Baroque masters like Rubens and Poussin.

The Dresden Tapestries will be on display from Jul. 15 through Oct. 30, 2022. We’re grateful that the Columbus Museum of Art stays open until 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

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