Founded by George III in 1768, the Royal Academy of Arts was created by a group of 34 prominent artists and architects who were determined to achieve professional standing for British art and architecture. Housed in Burlington House since 1867, the Academy draws large crowds who gather in the magnificent mansion courtyard waiting to get into one of the prestigious loan exhibitions. Recent exhibitions have included Monet in the 20th Century; From Russia: French and Russian Master Paintings 1870-1925; and The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters. The Academy’s famous ‘Summer Exhibition’ has been held for over 200 years, and has become the world’s largest open submission contemporary art show. The exhibition showcases around 1,200 new works by both emerging and established artists in all media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film.
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD
- www.royalacademy.org.uk
- Underground: Piccadilly Circus and Green Park