Which major art exhibition, featuring over 200 works by Raphael, opened at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on March 29, 2026?

The major art exhibition that opened at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on March 29, 2026, featuring over 200 works by Raphael, is titled "Raphael: Sublime Poetry." This landmark exhibition is the first comprehensive international loan exhibition in the United States dedicated to the High Renaissance master, Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, widely known as Raphael. It brings together an extraordinary collection of paintings, drawings, tapestries, and decorative arts from public and private collections across the globe, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the breadth of his genius.

Raphael, who lived a prolific but short life of 37 years (1483–1520), is considered one of the greatest artists of all time, alongside contemporaries like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. His artistic style is celebrated for its elegance, balance, harmonious compositions, and the ability to imbue figures with both intellectual depth and emotional resonance. The exhibition traces his entire career, from his early training in Urbino, through his influential years in Florence, and culminating in his final decade at the papal court in Rome, where his creative genius reached its zenith.

"Raphael: Sublime Poetry" provides a fresh perspective on this defining figure of the Italian Renaissance, showcasing his renowned masterpieces alongside rarely seen treasures. The exhibition highlights his artistic development, his meticulous process through preparatory drawings and sketches, and his evolving portrayal of women, including his iconic Madonnas. With over 200 works, including more than 170 by Raphael himself, many of which have never been seen in the U.S. before, this exhibition at The Met is a truly historic event for art enthusiasts and scholars alike.