Venues

Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

Open to the public

Association or society in Westminster

1,514 artworks

Plan a visit

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

A selection of the Royal Academy of Arts’ Collection is displayed in the John Madejski Fine Rooms which are accessible by free guided tours on Tuesday to Saturday. Appointments to view specific works of art can be made by arrangement. See http://www.racollection.org.uk for further details.

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

Artworks

  • Self Portrait (In Studio Mirror)
    Self Portrait (In Studio Mirror) Peter Coker (1926–2004)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Midi Landscape near Ganges
    Midi Landscape near Ganges Colin Graham Frederick Hayes (1919–2003)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Christopher
    Christopher Humphrey Ocean (b.1951)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA
    Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA Robert Medley (1905–1994)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Oast House
    Oast House Graham Vivian Sutherland (1903–1980)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • The Monkey Killer
    The Monkey Killer Orovida Camille Pissarro (1893–1968)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • The Arcadian Shepherds
    The Arcadian Shepherds Robert Medley (1905–1994)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • 1,507 more

Stories

Curations

  • The Rink 3pm
    Showcase
    20th Century Spotlight: Royal Academy of Arts, London: Jacklin to Wolfe

    65 artworks curated by David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

  • Collective Unconscious
    Showcase
    20th Century Spotlight: Royal Academy of Arts, London: Agar to Hoyland

    62 artworks curated by David Saywell, Head of Digital Assets

Events

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Simone Leigh

    Royal Academy of Arts

    18 September – 12 December 2027

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Peggy Guggenheim in London: The Making of a Collector

    Royal Academy of Arts

    21 November 2026 – 14 March 2027

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Painting the French Riviera

    Royal Academy of Arts

    2 October 2026 – 31 January 2027

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    The John Madejski Fine Rooms

    Royal Academy of Arts

    16 December 2025 – 29 January 2027

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Lubaina Himid in conversation (in person)

    Royal Academy of Arts

    28 October 2026, 18:30–19:45

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Lubaina Himid in conversation (online)

    Royal Academy of Arts

    28 October 2026, 18:30–19:45

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Richard Dadd: Beyond Bedlam

    Royal Academy of Arts

    25 July – 25 October 2026

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Charlie Billingham

    Royal Academy of Arts

    24 March – 4 October 2026

  • Royal Academy of Arts
    Curator talk: Richard Dadd

    Royal Academy of Arts

    12 September 2026, 11:00–12:15

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