‘Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer,” the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s majestic new show, includes 133 of the Old Master’s drawings, an unparalleled survey of his work on paper. Drawing was foundational for Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564), so what we see in the Met show is, in effect, the genesis of his sculpture, architecture, and painting. There are many loans we’ll never see again, and many lenders. The Royal Collection, I learned, lent so many things that Queen Elizabeth was required to personally sign the loan contracts.

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