Viewing Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael

Three titans of the Italian Renaissance takeover the Royal Academy of Arts from this week, in a scintillating exploration of the historic ongoing rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo, the influence of both artists on the younger prodigy, Raphael. The exhibition brings together exceptional drawings – and plenty of salacious art history that shows another side to these major figures.

The feud between the Renaissance revolutionaries, legend has it, began when both were commissioned to create battle scenes for the Council Hall at the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. Da Vinci’s encaustic technique was botched and caused paint to seep into Michaelangelo’s fresco; the latter responded by destroying his own work. The commission was never completed – but the exhibition includes the sketches for the murals by both artists illustrating what might have been, had the two been able to reconcile their artistic and personal differences.

The exhibition begins in Florence, in January of 1504, the moment when Michelangelo and Leonardo met, both having returned to live in their home city. Then both revered artists with powerful patrons behind them, the occasion of their meeting was to consult on where Michelangelo’s recently completed commission, the David sculpture should be placed – Da Vinci is reported to have said it would be best to cover the statue up. In September of that year, the colossal 17ft marble masterpiece would be unveiled in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signora. Michelangelo later retorted that he felt nothing on viewing Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.