Considered by his contemporaries as one of the greatest painters in Italy, Perugino (1450-1523) pioneered a new style of painting during the last decades of the 15th century and the first two of 16th century, which profoundly influenced the period. His crystal-clear art, made of translucence, harmonious colours and theatrical lighting, aroused a great deal of interest, and the original impressions of grace and seduction which he developed make him one of the best representatives of the Italian Renaissance.

More than just a chronological study of the artistic career of Perugino and his contemporaries, the exhibition will highlight the vital contributions these paintings made to the art and culture of their time. Pietro Perugino was the leader of an international artistic style which would spread throughout the rest of Europe thanks to the young Raphael (1483-1520), one of Perugino's students, whose works met with great success.

In this regard, the exhibition of some sixty paintings will establish a direct link between Perugino's and Raphael's works in relation to two main foci – landscape and portrait – to underline the stylistic continuity that developed between master and student. This will show how Pietro Perugino created and perfected an artistic language which the young Raphael then sensitively made his own, brining it to a much wider audience.