Rome is to host an "unprecedented" exhibition dedicated to Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael, on the 500th anniversary of the death of the High Renaissance artist and architect. There will be several major Raphael exhibitions around the world in 2020 but the most important of these will be held at the Scuderie del Quirinale, in Rome, the city in which the artist spent the last decade of his life.

The Rome blockbuster exhibition, titled simply Raphael and scheduled from 5 March until 2 June, will be the biggest ever show devoted to the Renaissance genius who was born in Urbino in 1483. The show will feature more than 200 masterpieces - never before gathered in the same place - including paintings and sketches as well as comparison works.