In 2026, museums across Europe and the United States are reaffirming the relevance of Old Masters with ambitious, thoughtfully framed exhibitions. From focused monographic shows on canonical figures like Raphael to rediscoveries of lesser-known artists such as Swedish sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel, these presentations demonstrate how historical art continues to speak to contemporary audiences. Alongside …
From Raphael to Tarot: The Must-See Old Masters Exhibitions of 2026
In 2026, museums across Europe and the United States are reaffirming the relevance of Old Masters with ambitious, thoughtfully framed exhibitions. From focused monographic shows on canonical figures like Raphael to rediscoveries of lesser-known artists such as Swedish sculptor Johan Tobias Sergel, these presentations demonstrate how historical art continues to speak to contemporary audiences.
Alongside single-artist surveys, several exhibitions draw unexpected connections between classical sources and modern creativity—whether through Ovid’s ever-influential Metamorphoses or the enduring symbolism of tarot imagery. Together, these five shows reveal that “Old Masters” is no longer a closed historical chapter, but a living framework constantly reinterpreted for new generations.
“Metamorphoses”
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
February 6 – May 25, 2026
Galleria Borghese, Rome
June 22 – September 20, 2026
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The Roman poet Ovid’s epic Metamorphoses—completed around 8 CE—receives a sweeping, blockbuster-style treatment at the Rijksmuseum before traveling to Rome. Weaving together myth, folklore, and history, the poem’s roughly 250 transformation tales have shaped Western art for two millennia. From Narcissus gazing into his reflection to Icarus’s fatal flight, the exhibition traces how artists from the Renaissance onward—including Rembrandt—translated Ovid’s myths into enduring visual form.
“Sergel – Fantasy and Reality”
Nationalmuseum, Stockholm
February 19 – August 9, 2026
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
October 30, 2026 – January 31, 2027
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Long overshadowed outside Scandinavia, Johan Tobias Sergel finally receives a major international reassessment. Best known for his elegant neoclassical marble figures, Sergel was also a prolific draftsman whose portraits and erotic sketches challenge assumptions about 18th-century decorum. This monographic exhibition embraces those contradictions, presenting an artist who balanced refined classicism with deeply personal and experimental expression.
“Raphael: Sublime Poetry”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
March 29 – June 28, 2026
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Few artists embody Renaissance perfection as completely as Raphael. This expansive exhibition at the Met traces the full arc of his career through paintings, drawings, and tapestries—many rarely seen together. Curated by Carmen Bambach, the show reconstructs Raphael’s creative process, offering visitors a glimpse into the artist’s working mind. A particular focus on his studies of nude female models sheds new light on works ranging from his Madonnas to the enigmatic La Fornarina, deepening our understanding of how Raphael’s reputation was built.
“Zurbarán”
National Gallery, London
May 2 – August 23, 2026
Musée du Louvre, Paris
October 7, 2026 – January 25, 2027
Art Institute of Chicago
February 28 – June 20, 2027
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Often compared to Caravaggio, Francisco de Zurbarán was a master of spiritual intensity. This touring exhibition examines his austere, contemplative depictions of saints and martyrs—images shaped by the ideals of the Counter-Reformation. Moving from London to Paris and Chicago, the show positions Zurbarán as a singular voice in Spanish Baroque painting, one whose restrained drama continues to resonate.
“Tarot! Renaissance Symbols, Modern Visions”
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
June 26 – October 4, 2026
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Originally created as a courtly card game in Renaissance Italy, tarot later evolved into a powerful tool of divination and artistic inspiration. This two-part exhibition traces that journey. “Renaissance Symbols” showcases rare 15th-century decks commissioned for the Duke of Milan, while “Modern Visions” explores tarot’s influence on modern and contemporary artists, including Leonora Carrington and Betye Saar. As curator Joshua O’Driscoll notes, tarot was not a fringe curiosity but a widespread cultural phenomenon—one whose imagery continues to captivate artists and audiences alike.
Together, these exhibitions show that the Old Masters are anything but static. Whether through rediscovery, reinterpretation, or dialogue with the present, 2026 promises a year in which historical art feels newly alive.
