Return of Raphael
Glaze Competition 2025
Theme: Self-portrait
Create a self-portrait inspired by missing Portrait of a Young Man
Get exhibited in a famous museum
Win valuable prizes
Join the competition and help Raphael return!
The Story of Raphael’s Lost Portrait of a Young Man
Have you ever seen this painting? It is currently missing; in fact, it has been missing since 1945.
Portrait of a Young Man was created by Raphael probably in 1513-1514. By many, it is considered the most important painting to go missing during World War II. It was most certainly stolen from the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Kraków, Poland by the Nazis.
Today nothing about this story is certain. What happened to Raphael’s painting? Was it taken by the Governor Hans Frank when he fled from the Allies in 1945? Or was it taken by someone else? The other highlights of the Czartoryski collection - Leonardo’s Lady with an Ermine and Rembrandt’s Landscape with the Good Samaritan were found in his villa and luckily came back to Poland. However, Raphael’s portrait wasn’t there.
What about the portrait itself? The subject’s identity is unverified. Many scholars have traditionally regarded it as Raphael’s self-portrait. The young man is richly-dressed and confidently poised. The only photos of the painting are in black and white. We don’t know exactly what colors Raphael used in it.
On the wall of the Princes Czartoryski Museum (branch of the National Museum in Kraków), there is now one empty frame. It is the original frame of the piece, still waiting for the painting to return to its rightful place.
Excerpt from the text by Zuzanna Stańska,
Join the Competition before October 20th, 2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Join the Competition
Participating in our competition is easy! First, download the Glaze app for your iPad. Next, create your self-portrait inspired by Raphael's long-lost Portrait of a Young Man. Finally, submit your masterpiece directly through the app for a chance to win.
1. Open Glaze app
Start your creative journey by installing Glaze app.*
2. Create
Use a competition sketch available in Glaze app to start your self-portrait. Explore tutorials and educational materials to bring your vision to life.
3. Submit Your Artwork
Once your self-portrait is complete, submit it directly through Glaze app. Join the competition and showcase your talent.
* Glaze App will be made available for free download by individuals in specific time slots throughout the competition. The upcoming days are: 26 and 27th of April 2025.
Essential Rules
Eligibility
Entrants must have access to the Glaze app. There are four age categories: 7-10, 11-13, 14-18, 19+.
Submission Guidelines
All entries must be submitted digitally via the Glaze app before October 20, 2025.
Judging Process
Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, technique, and adherence to the contest theme by the esteemed panel of international experts. The members of the jury will be announced in May 2025.
Please read the full Terms & Conditions before entering our Competition.
Please ensure your entry meets all criteria to be considered for judging.
Prizes await our Talented Winners
Winners of the competition will have their artwork published in Apollo Art Magazine—the world’s leading art magazine, established in 1925, which reaches nearly 300,000 art lovers worldwide. Moreover, the works of finalists will be presented at the Czartoryski Museum in Kraków, home to Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci, among other priceless masterpieces, showcasing their creativity to visitors and a global audience. Additional prizes will be announced soon.
The 4 best works will be published in Apollo magazine as sponsored publication.
Shortlisted works will be presented in the Czartoryski Museum.
Evaluation Criteria
The submitted works will be evaluated on three general criteria:
1. Creativity
Originality and innovation in the artwork will be highly valued.
2. Theme Adherence
Submissions must reflect the theme of self-portraiture inspired by Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man.
3. Technique
Skillful use of Glaze app tools and techniques will be evaluated.
Shortlist will be announced on October 30, 2025
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