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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

  • No. 37
    No. 37 Christopher Le Brun (b.1951)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Untitled (six on brown)
    Untitled (six on brown) Fiona Rae (b.1963)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Christopher
    Christopher Humphrey Ocean (b.1951)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Shack Life
    Shack Life Stephen Chambers (b.1960)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Fire Ladder, Air Ladder, Water Ladder, Earth Ladder
    Fire Ladder, Air Ladder, Water Ladder, Earth Ladder Joe Tilson (b.1928)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Naked Head
    Naked Head Eduardo Luigi Paolozzi (1924–2005)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • The Farm Gate
    The Farm Gate Stanley Spencer (1891–1959)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • 1,480 more

Artists

  • Fanny Street (1877–1962)
    Malcolm Osborne (1880–1963)
  • Design for 'Burlington Place', Burlington House Site Redevelopment, Piccadilly, Westminster, London: Perspective Looking North
    John Adey Repton (1775–1860)
  • Composition (Leda)
    Stanley William Hayter (1901–1988)
  • Sir Robert Harry Inglis (1786–1855)
    George Richmond (1809–1896)
  • The Hop Garland
    William Frederick Witherington (1785–1865)
  • Pluming the Helmet
    James Clarke Hook (1819–1907)
  • John James Chalon
    John James Chalon (1778–1854)
  • Man in the Park II
    Michael Buhler (1940–2009)
  • The Menin Road
    Paul Nash (1889–1946)
  • Vivien Leigh (1913–1967)
    Thomas Cantrell Dugdale (1880–1952)

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