All photographs are mine and were taken with permission on 20 February 2020. Three years ago this week, for one week only and for the first time in over four centuries, all of the surviving tapestries designed by Raphael were hung in the Sistine Chapel for which they were planned. An extraordinary occasion which was intended to open the year of exhibitions which were to commemorate the five hundredth year since Raphael’s death.
I am so happy that 1) you and I got to see these that strange February and 2) you went back and got to take pictures!
My strongest memory is how the room smelled and sounded so different with all of that gilded wool.
My main man Raphael! Love these photos, especially the final one with the guard - perfection.
Beautifully written. Wish I could have seen them there myself!