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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

  • Salix
    Salix Gillian Ayres (1930–2018)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • 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
  • Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA
    Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993), RA Robert Medley (1905–1994)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • The Arcadian Shepherds
    The Arcadian Shepherds Robert Medley (1905–1994)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • Trying to Find You 1
    Trying to Find You 1 Tracey Emin (b.1963)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • No. 37
    No. 37 Christopher Le Brun (b.1951)
    Royal Academy of Arts
  • 1,480 more

Artists

  • Studies of Sixteen Jockeys III
    Abraham Cooper (1787–1868)
  • Sir James Thornhill
    James Thornhill (1675/1676–1734)
  • Isaac Newton (1643–1727)
    Louis François Roubiliac (1695/1702–1762)
  • Sir John Tomlinson Brunner (1842–1919), MP, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool (1909–1918)
    Arthur Hacker (1858–1919)
  • Field Marshal Prince von Blücher (1742–1819)
    George Dawe (1781–1829)
  • Portrait of a Lady
    Pascal Adolphe Jean Dagnan-Bouveret (1852–1929)
  • Sub-Officer Henry E. Shaw, BEM, London Fire Service
    Arthur Ralph Middleton Todd (1891–1966)
  • Sketch after Francisco Goya's 'Duel with Cudgels'
    Sarah Simblet (b.1972)
  • Yellow Ox-eye Daisies
    Charles Mahoney (1903–1968)
  • The Waking Child
    Edwin Whitney-Smith (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