The 1500s - Michelangelo and Raphael in Rome
19 November 2025 at 11:00:00
Winston Churchill Hall, Ruislip
One of the famous Putti at the base of The Sistine Madonna, by Raphael
Today's Morning Lecture will showcase many of the most important works by two of the world's greatest artists, Michelangelo and Raphael, who from 1508 both worked in Rome for the great Renaissance pope Julius II.
We will look at the Pietà and Moses sculptures, before focusing on Michelangelo’s frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and Raphael’s decoration of the papal apartment known as the Raphael Rooms. Michelangelo was eventually given responsibility for the rebuilding of St Peter’s Basilica, a project that would take two centuries to complete.
From this base we will look at some of their other works in Rome and how they influenced artistic development in the 1500s, as well as covering some of the political events that affected the city during this period.
Our Speaker today, Stuart Harvey, is a “History and Art Communicator” of 30 years experience. He is a London Blue Badge Tourist Guide (qualified in 1998 - awarded “New Guide of the Year”) and also a Guida Turistica Abilitata della Provincia di Roma (qualified in 2010). He has worked in educational tourism since 1992, leading study tours all over Europe.
Living in Rome since 2003, Stuart has developed a great love for the Eternal City and its many treasures. In addition to his primary career as full-time Rome tourist guide, Stuart’s entertaining and lively lectures and virtual tours bring the rich artistic and historical wealth of Rome’s 28 centuries to life for people all over the world.
Stuart Harvey