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13°C
Sunny intervals Royal Academy of Arts
Visitor Reviews
The Royal Academy of Arts, founded in 1768, is the oldest fine arts institution in Britain. Situated in the heart of the West End on Piccadilly, it is universally renowned for hosting some of the capital's finest temporary and touring exhibitions. Its annual Summer Exhibition, running since the institution first opened, displays select work from up and coming artists and by academicians.
The academy's treasures, on permanent display in the lavish John Madeski Fine Rooms include paintings by members (Reynolds, Gainsborough, Constable, Turner), 18C furniture, Queen Victoria's paintbox, the only Michelangelo sculpture in the country, the unfinished marble tondo of the Madonna and Child, (outside the entrance of the Sackler Galleries) and the famous copy of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
The restaurant serves an appetising selection of hot and cold dishes and you can also enjoy light refreshments in the outdoor café during the warmer weather. Two shops, located adjacent to the galleries exits, sell merchandise inspired by the current exhibitions and the works of the Academicians, as well as a great selection of art books.
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| Opening times: | 10am-6pm everyday except Friday (last admission to galleries 5.30pm). 10am-10pm Friday (last admission to galleries 9.30pm). Ticket prices variable depending on exhibition |
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| Catering | Food shop |
| Booking and payment details | Solo accepted Maestro accepted |
| Accessibility | Ramp/level access |
Itchy review of Royal Academy of Arts
Centuries of history, and they still keep it fresh. The Summer Exhibition is always hit and miss though which gets the luvvies talking.
Lonely Planet review of Royal Academy of Arts
Britain's first art school was founded in 1768, though it only moved here in the following century. It's a great place to come for some free art, thanks to the John Madejski's Fine Rooms, where drawings ranging from Constable, Reynolds, Gainsborough and Turner to Hockney are displayed for nowt. The Academy's galleries have sprung back to life in recent years with mega-successful populist exhibitions such as the Art of the Aztecs and Turks, though the famous Summer Exhibition (early June to mid-August), which has showcased art submitted by the general public for nearly 250 years, is the Academy's biggest event.The Academy is enjoying its new Annenberg Courtyard, which features a dashing stone-paved piazza with choreographed lights and fountains flanking a statue of founder Joshua Reynolds, though he's often replaced or joined by various (and dubious) art pieces.
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The Permanent Collection Exhibition
27 Oct 2006 to 31 Dec 2012
A little-known national treasure, the Collection focuses predominantly on British art and architecture from the 18th century to the present day and includes works by reknowned British painters such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, Stanley Spencer and David Hockney.Recurring event
45-minute free introductory talk exploring the exhibition.From All Walks of Life: Genre paintings Exhibition
1 Jan 2008 to 7 Dec 2008
This display explores the rich variety of genre paintings, or subjects of everyday life, from the Royal Academy's own collection. It starts with a group of so-called 'fancy pictures' which were popular in the 18th century. Fine examples of this kind of painting are seen in Sir Thomas Lawrence's Gipsy Girl and Boy and Rabbit by Sir Henry Raeburn. The display continues with 19th century scenes of rustic life, including works that reflect a nostalgia for the simplicity of country life, such as paintings by Thomas Faed, Sir George Clausen and Stanhope Forbes. Other paintings, like The Outcast by Richard Redgrave, delve into serious contemporary issues, in this case the plight of unmarried mothers. The later part of the display shows work by artists who recorded daily life in foreign lands, including JF Lewis's jewel-like The Door of a Cafe in Cairo and Henry La Thangue's Violets for Perfume, while many of the 20th century artists celebrate the vibrancy of city life as seen in Bill Jacklin's The Rink.Free Gallery Talks Lecture
Recurring event
The public are invited to a free introduction to the display.
Location Information Royal Academy of Arts
| Address: | Piccadilly, Burlington House, London London |
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| Telephone: | +44 (0)20 7300 8000 |
| Fax: | +44 (0)20 7300 8001 |
| Email: | lawton.fitt@royalacademy.org.uk |
| Website: | www.royalacademy.org.uk |
| Public transport: | Piccadilly Circus Tube |
| By road: | Piccadilly Circus: walk down Piccadilly towards Green Park.Green Park: walk up Piccadilly towards Leicester Square. The Royal Academy is opposite Fortnum & Masons. |
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© Collins Bartholomew 2008
