Discovering the Riches of the Royal Academy of Arts in London
art, news
Burlington House Courtyard RA, London
The Royal Academy of Arts in London is home to a magnificent collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, historic books, archives, historic photographs and plaster casts. The collection began with the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1768 and has grown to include about 935 paintings, 350 sculptures, 700 plaster casts, 25,000 prints and drawings and 5,000 historic photographs. The collection’s central focus is on British art and artists from the 18th century to the present day.
Visitors to the Royal Academy can explore this rich collection by visiting the Collection Gallery, which is open and free to all. The gallery features highlights from the collection, including works by leading early Academicians as well as many of the RA’s examples of earlier art. Visitors can also search the Royal Academy Collection online to discover more about the works on display.
In addition to its impressive collection of art, the Royal Academy also offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. The RA is home to a world-class exhibition programme as well as free displays of art and architecture. Visitors can also attend workshops for both, children and adults, lectures, film screenings and short courses to learn more about art and architecture. For those looking for a bite to eat or a drink, the RA has several cafés, restaurants and bars on site.
We’ve been thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the Royal Academy and explore its collection. The diversity and richness of the works on display is truly impressive, and the range of activities available makes for an engaging and enjoyable visit. I highly recommend a visit to the Royal Academy for anyone interested in art and architecture.
A stark contrast between the public image of tradition and civic pride, and the reality of a city grappling with profound economic and social inequality.