Parisian Perfection
Should the Riddle reader find themselves in Paris, this small exhibition including Titian and Raphael drawings should be on their to-do list
Article by Rupert Watkins
The Foundation Custodia in Paris is holding an exhibition of 90 Italian masterpieces from the 15th and 16th centuries including works by Michaelangelo, Raphael, Correggio and Titian. These are on loan from the Städel Museum in Frankfurt. Covering the geographical breadth of Italy, the exhibition includes such seminal and quite stunning works as The Adoration of the Magi by Parmigianino and many of the pieces have rarely – if ever – come before the public.
The earliest works date from as early as 1430 and the exhibition contains such gems as Michaelangelo’s Grotesque Heads c1525 and Titian’s marvellous Study of St Sebastian for the High Alterpiece in SS Nazaro e Celso in Brescia dating from 1519/20. The display also considers the interwoven nature of art and princely politics in Renaissance Italy, showing works commissioned and dedicated to propagating an ideal of court, civic and political power.
The kernel of the collection is made up from the bequest of Johann Städel whose 1815 will resulted in the creation of Germany’s oldest museum foundation. This exhibition runs until June 21st. 
Enquiries: Foundation Custodia, 121 rue de Lille, Paris VII, France / +33 1 47 05 7519 / www.foundationcustodia.fr