Renaissance Siena offered the first opportunity in the UK to see Sienese Renaissance works of art in the artistic, cultural and political context of the volatile last century of the Sienese Republic.
While the painting of Trecento Siena is universally admired, the art produced during the later 15th and early 16th centuries is much less well known, especially outside Italy.
'Renaissance Siena: Art for a City' showcased the bravura techniques and virtuoso inventiveness of two of the greatest Sienese artists of this period, Francesco di Giorgio and Domenico Beccafumi, alongside many of their contemporaries.
Around one hundred beautiful paintings, sculptures, drawings, manuscripts and ceramics were included in the exhibition.
Major loans from private and public collections across Europe and America were displayed alongside the exceptional Sienese paintings in the National Gallery's own collection - works by Matteo di Giovanni, Francesco di Giorgio, Benvenuto di Giovanni, the Master of the Legend of Griselda, Signorelli, Pintoricchio and Beccafumi - many of which were specially cleaned and restored for this show.