The Raphael Cartoons

The Raphael Court, Room 48a: currently closed

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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. The Cartoons have been on loan to the V&A from Her Majesty The Queen since 1865.

Collection Highlights

Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes
Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Luke 5: 1 – 11), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.2.
Raphael Cartoon, Christ's Charge to Peter
Raphael Cartoon, Christ's Charge to Peter (Matthew 16: 18 – 19 & John 21: 15 – 17), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.3.
Raphael Cartoon, The Conversion of the Proconsul also known as The Blinding of Elymas
Raphael Cartoon, The Conversion of the Proconsul also known as The Blinding of Elymas (Acts 13: 6 – 12), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.8.
Raphael Cartoon, The Death of Ananias
Raphael Cartoon, The Death of Ananias (Acts 5: 1 – 5), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.5.
Raphael Cartoon, The Healing of the Lame Man
Raphael Cartoon, The Healing of the Lame Man (Acts 3: 1 – 8), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.4.
Raphael Cartoon, Paul Preaching at Athens
Raphael Cartoon, Paul Preaching at Athens (Acts 17: 16 – 34), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.7.
Raphael Cartoon, The Sacrifice at Lystra
Raphael Cartoon, The Sacrifice at Lystra (Acts 14: 8 – 18), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.6.
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Background image: Raphael Cartoon, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes (Luke 5: 1 – 11), cartoon for a tapestry, by Raphael, about 1515 – 16, Italy. Museum number: ROYAL LOANS.2. Photo: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Courtesy Royal Collection Trust / Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 2021