The National Gallery in London is set to present a remarkable exhibition featuring the Carracci cartoons, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the artistic process of Renaissance masters. “The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making” will showcase two immense drawings, each measuring nearly four meters wide and two meters tall, created around 1599 as preparatory works for monumental frescoes.
These extraordinary cartoons, crafted primarily by Agostino Carracci with possible contributions from his brother Annibale, were designed for the ceiling of the Palazzo Farnese’s gallery in Rome. The drawings depict scenes inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, reimagining ancient myths for Renaissance audiences. Their survival is a testament to the significance placed on these works shortly after their creation.
Visitors will have the opportunity to examine the intricate details of these charcoal and white chalk drawings, which offer invaluable insights into the working practices of Renaissance artists and their workshops. The visible signs of use, including small perforations for copying contours and cuts used to transfer pieces to plaster, make these cartoons captivating testimonies to the artistic vigor behind the creation of large-scale frescoes.
The Carracci brothers, along with their cousin Lodovico, were influential figures in the art world of their time. Their workshop in Bologna trained an entire generation of Baroque artists, including luminaries such as Guido Reni and Domenichino. The frescoes created from these cartoons in the Palazzo Farnese became known as the ‘Galleria Farnese’ and had a profound impact on future generations of artists.
This exhibition not only showcases the technical brilliance of the Carracci brothers but also provides a window into the ambitious decoration projects of Renaissance Rome. It allows visitors to appreciate the complex process of creating monumental frescoes and understand the artistic innovations that bridged the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Art enthusiasts and history buffs alike will find this exhibition a rare opportunity to witness the creative process of some of Italy’s most celebrated artists. The National Gallery’s presentation of these cartoons offers a fascinating glimpse into the myths, techniques, and artistic vision that shaped one of Rome’s greatest Renaissance palaces.
The exhibition “The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making” will be on display in Room 1 of the National Gallery in London from 10 April to 6 July 2025.
