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Raphael Cartoons

Room 48a – Raphael Court

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The Raphael Cartoons are a set of seven full-scale designs for tapestry painted by Raphael (1483 – 1520), and are considered one of the greatest treasures of the Renaissance. They were commissioned in 1515 by Pope Leo X for the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel and depict the lives of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul – Fathers of the Christian church. The Cartoons have been on loan to the V&A from Her Majesty The Queen since 1865.

Exploring Raphael Cartoons

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes: Luke Chapter 5: Verses 1–11, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.2. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes: Luke Chapter 5: Verses 1–11, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.2. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, The Healing of the Lame Man: Acts Chapter 3: Verses 1–8, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.4. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, The Healing of the Lame Man: Acts Chapter 3: Verses 1–8, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.4. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, Christ's Charge to Peter: Matthew Chapter 16: Verses 18 & 19, & John Chapter 21: Verses 15–18, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.3. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, Christ's Charge to Peter: Matthew Chapter 16: Verses 18 & 19, & John Chapter 21: Verses 15–18, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.3. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, The Death of Ananias: Acts Chapter 5: Verses 1–5, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.5. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, The Death of Ananias: Acts Chapter 5: Verses 1–5, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.5. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, The Conversion of the Proconsul or The Blinding of Elymas: Acts Chapter 13: Verses 6–12, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.8. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, The Conversion of the Proconsul or The Blinding of Elymas: Acts Chapter 13: Verses 6–12, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.8. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, The Sacrifice at Lystra: Acts Chapter 14: Verses 8–18, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.6. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, The Sacrifice at Lystra: Acts Chapter 14: Verses 8–18, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.6. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Photo of Raphael Cartoon, Paul Preaching at Athens: Acts Chapter 17: Verses 16–34, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.7. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Raphael Cartoon, Paul Preaching at Athens: Acts Chapter 17: Verses 16–34, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.7. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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Background image: Background image: Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes: Luke Chapter 5: Verses 1–11, by Raphael, 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum no. ROYAL LOANS.2. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London