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Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

Open to the public

Association or society in Westminster

1,487 artworks

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More about

The Royal Academy Collection is unique in that it was selected by artists. Founded in 1768, the collection was started by leading artists such as Reynolds and Gainsborough who wanted to encourage and promote a British School of fine arts. It was written into the laws of the institution that all newly elected Academicians should give one work to the Collection. Known as 'Diploma Works', these are still given today and include the work of artists ranging from Henry Fuseli and J. M. W. Turner to John Singer Sargent and David Hockney.

In addition to these, important paintings and a large number of portraits and self portraits by artists were acquired through gifts and bequests. Purchases of copies of famous Renaissance paintings were also made to inspire students at the Royal Academy Schools. These include a full-size copy of Leonardo's 'The Last Supper', by Giampietrino, which dates from about 1515. Particularly celebrated works in the collection include John Constable's 'The Leaping Horse', Henry Fuseli's 'Thor Battering the Midgard Serpent' and J. W. Waterhouse's 'A Mermaid'.

Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, Greater London W1V 0DS England

020 7300 8000

Before making a visit, check opening hours with the venue

https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/

Artworks

  • Woman with a Shopping Bag
    Woman with a Shopping Bag Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Figures in a Street
    Figures in a Street Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887–1976)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Joan Rhodes
    Joan Rhodes Laura Knight (1877–1970)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Richmond Park No. 2
    Richmond Park No. 2 Laura Knight (1877–1970)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Oast House
    Oast House Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Charles III (b.1948), when HRH Prince Charles
    Charles III (b.1948), when HRH Prince Charles Patrick Procktor (1936–2003)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA
    Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA Robert Medley (1905–1994)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • 1,480 more

Artists

  • Drawing Room, 1a Holland Park
    Anna Alma-Tadema (1867–1943)
  • Grandmother Sitting Alone
    Geoffrey M. Vivis (1944–2005)
  • Self Portrait
    John Hoppner (1758–1810)
  • Head of the Farnese Hercules
    Glycon (c.AD 200–c.AD 250?)
  • The Butler Takes a Glass of Port (All Things Come to the Man That Waits)
    Frederick William Elwell (1870–1958)
  • Flowers
    John Baker (1736–1771)
  • Joshua Ward (1686–1761)
    Agostino Carlini (1718–1790)
  • Crouching Man
    Phillip King (1934–2021)
  • The Wilds of Assynt
    David Young Cameron (1865–1945)
  • Civilization: The Judge
    Siegfried Charoux (1896–1967)

Stories

Venues in Westminster

  •
    BBC England
  • Black Outdoor Art
  • British Council Collection
  • British Dental Association Dental Museum
  • City of Westminster Archives Centre
  • College of Optometrists
  • English Heritage, The Wellington Collection, Apsley House
  • Government Art Collection
  • Hallfield Primary School, Westminster
  • Hunterian Museum