ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

This fall, don’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view Raphael’s renowned painting La Velata (The Woman with the Veil), opening October 24.

This single-painting exhibition brings one of the most important paintings of the Renaissance to Oregon for the first time. This extraordinary work is on loan from the Medici Collection of the Palatine Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Florence, Italy and comes to Portland after more than a year of negotiations.

A contemporary of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael was famed as a painter of portraits and altarpieces. Raphael’s work as a painter and architect was a major influence during the Renaissance and continues today.

According to Brian Ferriso, The Marilyn H. and Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. Director, La Velata’s harmony and balance beautifully capture the principles of the High Renaissance. Specifically, Raphael demonstrates his brilliance at sfumato, a painting technique often associated with Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, whereby lightly applied layers of transparent color capture light and articulate volume and form.

La Velata is thought to depict Margherita Luti, a baker’s daughter who was believed to be Raphael’s longtime mistress and the subject of many of his paintings, including La Fornarina.

Coordinated by the Portland Art Museum and curated by Director Brian Ferriso, the exhibition will travel to the Nevada Museum of Art and Milwaukee Art Museum before returning to Italy.