Royal Academy Of Arts

Once a week, every week until 19 August, we're choosing one lucky Summer Exhibition ticket holder at random to win a Golden Ticket. If this is you 🤞, you'll receive a year's Friends membership, which includes free entry to our exhibitions https://roy.ac/2LfeA79

Design – what we now call drawing – was traditionally considered to be the foundation of all the visual arts and a crucial part of an artist’s training. This image by Angelica Kauffman RA represents design as a seated woman drawing the Belvedere Torso https://roy.ac/2JJ9rij

Wolfgang Tillmans RA created his vast work 'Greifbar 1' in the darkroom. Rather than using a camera, he traced the effects of light and chemicals directly on to photographic paper. See 'Greifbar 1' in The Great Spectacle: 250 Years of the Summer Exhibition before 19 August https://roy.ac/2LsBsj8

When you visit the Summer Exhibition, look out for the shrapnel marks on the doorframe between Gallery IX and the Lecture room - a 'memento' of when the Royal Academy was bombed in 1917. Despite such disruption, the Summer Exhibition has continued uninterrupted every year since 1769 https://roy.ac/2JH7we6

This spectacular watercolour by Joseph Michael Gandy, exhibited in the Summer Exhibition in 1818, was a novel way to celebrate the achievements of his mentor, the architect John Soane. The painting is filled with Soane's architectural models and designs, including a model of the Bank of England and the Dulwich Picture Gallery https://roy.ac/2Nz9gbA

Parallel to the Summer Exhibition, we're showcasing works by aspiring artists aged 16–18 in a special online exhibition. This work by Alexandria Alexander is called ‘Dreadful’ and addresses gender, sexuality and race. She is modelling the sculpture in the photograph, she says, "as an extension of [her] hair and identity as a young, black woman". See all the artworks in our A-Level Summer Exhibition Online before 19 August: https://roy.ac/2mhMb1p.

J.M.W. Turner RA's 'Calais Sands at Low Water' was exhibited in the Summer Exhibition in 1830. Turner was often described as a poet of landscape, and reviewers frequently applauded the distinctive "glow" he gave to his works https://roy.ac/2uP9xiY

For his RA250 flags in Regent Street, Joe Tilson RA drew inspiration from his paintings of the historical architecture and churches of Venice. Tilson first visited Venice in the 1950s, and has remained "deeply connected" to the city ever since https://roy.ac/2zVoSnX.

From talks by Renzo Piano Hon RA and Es Devlin to a conversation between Farshid Moussavi RA and philosopher Jacques Rancière about space, aesthetics and politics, tickets to our Autumn Architecture Programme are now on sale: https://roy.ac/2mtqpb0

To celebrate our 250th birthday, we’re putting the treasures of our Collection on free display. Each artwork has its own unique character, so which one matches yours? Our quiz has all the answers: https://roy.ac/2O1YwDF

If you're visiting the Summer Exhibition, make sure you keep your ticket! Show it at our Ticket Office to see The Great Spectacle, which traces the history of the Exhibition - from Turner and Constable to Emin and Hockney - for just £5 https://roy.ac/2uA7H6b.

"At least you can have some honour in what you do. Whether you think it’s old-fashioned or not." Catch Tacita Dean's LANDSCAPE exhibition, which features a major new, experimental 35mm film 'Antigone,' before 12 August https://roy.ac/2uGkHGC.

This weekend is your last chance to win an art workshop at the RA for your family and friends! Head to the Giant Colouring Wall on Regent's Street this Sunday, 22 July, and colour in our special flag design, or download the design online. The winning entry will be selected by Joe Tilson RA https://roy.ac/2mbev5D

The MAC in Belfast is currently playing host to Lindsay Seers' exhibition 'Every Thought There Ever Was,' an exploration of schizophrenia which incorporates industrial robotics with a three-screen video projection. Read about this and nine other great shows to see in July in our monthly round-up: https://roy.ac/2JySQgO.

This photograph from our A-Level Summer Exhibition Online is by student Ben Sewill, from his series called ‘Taboo’. In a role reversal of classic trophy hunting photographs, Ben posed a hippo foot on top of a human chest to "show the natural power" of the often-hunted animal. See all images in our A-Level Summer Exhibition Online at https://roy.ac/2NJBm4E.

Just announced: Bill Viola / Michelangelo, opening in January 2019! In this immersive exhibition, we'll bring together the pioneering work of video artist Bill Viola Hon RA and the exquisite drawings of Michelangelo – two artists born centuries apart, both exploring the universal themes of birth, life and death https://roy.ac/2Lg66Md.

“Am I superstitious? I am. I’m always touching wood.” Tacita Dean has also has collected hundreds of four, five, six, seven and nine leafed clovers since she found her first in a lay-by as a child https://roy.ac/2NhPpO8

RA Schools students Débora Delmar and Sung Tieu have created a new collaborative installation, 'Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear,' which interrogates the narrative of the great male artist. See it before 10 August in the Weston Studio: https://roy.ac/2L3HOWQ

Joshua Reynolds, the first President of the RA, was born on this day in 1723. He produced around 30 self-portraits over the course of his career, this one painted when he was 57 years old. Reynolds' composition and technique pays homage to Rembrandt, whose portrait prints were particularly popular in the UK at the time https://roy.ac/2Nh1seu.

Parallel to the Summer Exhibition, over 1,400 aspiring artists aged 16–18 attending sixth form colleges or schools submitted their work to our 2018 A-level Summer Exhibition Online. Pull up a chair and enjoy our online gallery of selected works: https://roy.ac/2mhMb1p.

Visited the summer exhibition yesterday, loved the variety of work on show, I thought the choice of wall colour truly added to the displays, Grayson Perry has done a good job. Will be going back again. as a real feast for the eyes and so much to take in. Inspirational!

This years Summer Exhibition made me so happy - the chaos, the colour, the variety, the sheer joy of creating! Loved it. It’s everything art should be: fun, inviting, moving, weird, thoughtful, terrible, enjoyable! More please.

This is my favourite art gallery it's a great experience to go.Its beautiful I enjoy the freedom of art and thinking here.

The sound of the 2018 exhibition is completely different than in 2015.) And I like it! I come for new fresh sensations, absorb the modern conceptual ideas in art, enjoy the admiration of the wonderful ideas of the artworks! Thanks to the creators and organizers of the exhibition!

Spectacular Spectacular!

A really exciting show this year! Well done Royal Academy! From the waving flag and shouting shopping trolly downstairs, to the buzzing yellow central Room and the upstairs galleries showing gorgeous prints, I was mesmerised for over two hours.

My partner and I visit every July as her birthday treat. What a refreshingly different exhibition greeted us this year! In terms of art and artist selection. Each room was adorned with well chosen pieces and themed to perfection. I’m assuming this may be due to Grayson Perry’s involvement. Without a doubt our best visit to date. Many thanks to all involved. See you next July.

I’ve been going to the Summer Exhibition for years and years, but this year was the best one I’ve seen for ages!

I got quite emotional when I saw David Hockney’s two large pieces. I have been a huge fan since art college in the late 70’s and this evoked many memories of his works over the last 40 years. I hope it’s not his “last hurrah”.

I am also a massive fan of Grayson Perry! You did an amazing job this year, Bravo!!!

Sara Landau Howell 🤗

I love this place and because of Institutions like this one Uknown artists have the opportunity to show their work to the public and therefore are encouraged to keep trying.! And its not all about connections in the end like everyone says, the RA shows that everyone has the chance to make it if they try! Thank you RA!!! U rule.

I bought my first picture from the summer show at £100 so very pleased. I love the history of the academy a very special place great friend’s cafe.

I am always excited to visit the RA because the venue is just amazingly beautiful with fantastic spaces both inside and the outside courtyard. The exhibitions always get me inspired and thinking about creativity as well as the events held throughout the year. Thank you to all the staff who put in so much effort to make visiting the RA something special.

Fun, quirky and entertaining as well as absorbing. A real mishmash of pieces. Something for everyone to enjoy, admire, critique and guess the price before checking the catalogue. Some of the prices were shocking. Wondering who would pay 25k for a Nigel Farage portrait...no one yet it seems ���. Good. Practically no one in my world has the funds to buy art, but I do feel inspired to start drawing again.... if I can even afford the materials!!! However, still leaving smiling and enjoying that feeling of inspiration. Thanks !

And thanks to my folks for getting my ticket.

As a historic art heathen, who thinks most art is tosh, this exhibition wowed me. I clearly couldn't have picked a better year to attend - heading into the 21st century Grayson Perry was the perfect choice of curator, and the show is filled with everything from the weird and wonderful to high art, and most things in between, most notably with a seriously wicked sense of humour running through it. A historic building has been injected with new life, partly by the colour scheme, and partly by the many extensions and different spaces. I was particularly wowed by the architecture room, but that's more about my own eye for detail. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and can genuinely say I felt inspired - didn't see that coming.

All I can say is WOW!!!

The RA have really put on a spectacular show for their 250th Summer Exhibition. I spent over three hours taking it all in and would like to go back again!!

A very dear friend and myself popped along to the RA Late Summer Garden Party. Well what a gas. Just fabulous. I am planning a re visit. This is my favourite by far of the infamous Summer Exhibition 250th Anniversary. Congratulations on your choice of Grayson Perry for coordinating such a spectacle for the eye and mind. Well done RA I doft my hat to you xx

A brilliant display of a variety of art forms. Grayson Perry's influence was evident in the vibrancy of the central hall. I appreciated the inclusion of machine embroidery and fabric work as it is something I am interested in. The whole exhibtition left me feeling uplifted and inspired

Visited the Summer Exhibition today and as in previous years I was inspired, amazed, intrigued with most of the work on display. I was however frustrated at the height of some of the small paintings in Gallery lll. I needed binoculars to view them.

Loved the new Weston Bridge link to Burlington Gardens but disappointed the new RA cafe was not open today 11th June as promoted on your recent Friends email dated 7th June

Really enjoyed our time there. All levels of exhibits, styles, prices etc We had to take a coffee break (in the rather expensive cafe) before proceeding to finish our viewings on the upper floor which a lots of people seem to miss. Great afternoon & highly recommend it, if you have a few hours to spare.

In the 250 year its great, I love the banners down piccadilly. Not sure about the outside installation tbh. The entrance is a bit underwhelming too and can do with better signage eg the loos have moved. Once you are up the stairs and especially the main room it’s fab love some loathe some, that’s what it is all about. Again due to poor info. We missed the room with the Grayson Perry portraits. It would be good if you pay £16 to enter, you can return in that season.

Fabulous. Been going to the summer exhibition for more than 18 years and sometimes it hits the mark and sometimes not. This year loved the vivacity of it, the boldness the sheer cheek of it. When I saw the painting of the Queen with pope Benedict and Van Gogh my sudden guffaw drew my son from the far side. Beside me was an elderly man who knew the artist so we had a lovely chat. He couldn’t wait to tell his artist friend that it had pride of place in the first room. Oh to be a fly on the wall for that imaginary conversation. Will go at least once more because I feel I missed so much as there is lots to take in. A joyful afternoon. We came onto Piccadilly with wide smiles and a twinkle in the eye.

Visited the summer exhibition yesterday, loved the variety of work on show, I thought the choice of wall colour truly added to the displays, Grayson Perry has done a good job. Will be going back again. as a real feast for the eyes and so much to take in. Inspirational!

This years Summer Exhibition made me so happy - the chaos, the colour, the variety, the sheer joy of creating! Loved it. It’s everything art should be: fun, inviting, moving, weird, thoughtful, terrible, enjoyable! More please.

This is my favourite art gallery it's a great experience to go.Its beautiful I enjoy the freedom of art and thinking here.

The sound of the 2018 exhibition is completely different than in 2015.) And I like it! I come for new fresh sensations, absorb the modern conceptual ideas in art, enjoy the admiration of the wonderful ideas of the artworks! Thanks to the creators and organizers of the exhibition!

Spectacular Spectacular!

A really exciting show this year! Well done Royal Academy! From the waving flag and shouting shopping trolly downstairs, to the buzzing yellow central Room and the upstairs galleries showing gorgeous prints, I was mesmerised for over two hours.

My partner and I visit every July as her birthday treat. What a refreshingly different exhibition greeted us this year! In terms of art and artist selection. Each room was adorned with well chosen pieces and themed to perfection. I’m assuming this may be due to Grayson Perry’s involvement. Without a doubt our best visit to date. Many thanks to all involved. See you next July.

I’ve been going to the Summer Exhibition for years and years, but this year was the best one I’ve seen for ages!

I got quite emotional when I saw David Hockney’s two large pieces. I have been a huge fan since art college in the late 70’s and this evoked many memories of his works over the last 40 years. I hope it’s not his “last hurrah”.

I am also a massive fan of Grayson Perry! You did an amazing job this year, Bravo!!!

Sara Landau Howell 🤗

I love this place and because of Institutions like this one Uknown artists have the opportunity to show their work to the public and therefore are encouraged to keep trying.! And its not all about connections in the end like everyone says, the RA shows that everyone has the chance to make it if they try! Thank you RA!!! U rule.

I bought my first picture from the summer show at £100 so very pleased. I love the history of the academy a very special place great friend’s cafe.

I am always excited to visit the RA because the venue is just amazingly beautiful with fantastic spaces both inside and the outside courtyard. The exhibitions always get me inspired and thinking about creativity as well as the events held throughout the year. Thank you to all the staff who put in so much effort to make visiting the RA something special.

Fun, quirky and entertaining as well as absorbing. A real mishmash of pieces. Something for everyone to enjoy, admire, critique and guess the price before checking the catalogue. Some of the prices were shocking. Wondering who would pay 25k for a Nigel Farage portrait...no one yet it seems ���. Good. Practically no one in my world has the funds to buy art, but I do feel inspired to start drawing again.... if I can even afford the materials!!! However, still leaving smiling and enjoying that feeling of inspiration. Thanks !

And thanks to my folks for getting my ticket.

As a historic art heathen, who thinks most art is tosh, this exhibition wowed me. I clearly couldn't have picked a better year to attend - heading into the 21st century Grayson Perry was the perfect choice of curator, and the show is filled with everything from the weird and wonderful to high art, and most things in between, most notably with a seriously wicked sense of humour running through it. A historic building has been injected with new life, partly by the colour scheme, and partly by the many extensions and different spaces. I was particularly wowed by the architecture room, but that's more about my own eye for detail. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, and can genuinely say I felt inspired - didn't see that coming.

All I can say is WOW!!!

The RA have really put on a spectacular show for their 250th Summer Exhibition. I spent over three hours taking it all in and would like to go back again!!

A very dear friend and myself popped along to the RA Late Summer Garden Party. Well what a gas. Just fabulous. I am planning a re visit. This is my favourite by far of the infamous Summer Exhibition 250th Anniversary. Congratulations on your choice of Grayson Perry for coordinating such a spectacle for the eye and mind. Well done RA I doft my hat to you xx

A brilliant display of a variety of art forms. Grayson Perry's influence was evident in the vibrancy of the central hall. I appreciated the inclusion of machine embroidery and fabric work as it is something I am interested in. The whole exhibtition left me feeling uplifted and inspired

Visited the Summer Exhibition today and as in previous years I was inspired, amazed, intrigued with most of the work on display. I was however frustrated at the height of some of the small paintings in Gallery lll. I needed binoculars to view them.

Loved the new Weston Bridge link to Burlington Gardens but disappointed the new RA cafe was not open today 11th June as promoted on your recent Friends email dated 7th June

Really enjoyed our time there. All levels of exhibits, styles, prices etc We had to take a coffee break (in the rather expensive cafe) before proceeding to finish our viewings on the upper floor which a lots of people seem to miss. Great afternoon & highly recommend it, if you have a few hours to spare.

In the 250 year its great, I love the banners down piccadilly. Not sure about the outside installation tbh. The entrance is a bit underwhelming too and can do with better signage eg the loos have moved. Once you are up the stairs and especially the main room it’s fab love some loathe some, that’s what it is all about. Again due to poor info. We missed the room with the Grayson Perry portraits. It would be good if you pay £16 to enter, you can return in that season.

Fabulous. Been going to the summer exhibition for more than 18 years and sometimes it hits the mark and sometimes not. This year loved the vivacity of it, the boldness the sheer cheek of it. When I saw the painting of the Queen with pope Benedict and Van Gogh my sudden guffaw drew my son from the far side. Beside me was an elderly man who knew the artist so we had a lovely chat. He couldn’t wait to tell his artist friend that it had pride of place in the first room. Oh to be a fly on the wall for that imaginary conversation. Will go at least once more because I feel I missed so much as there is lots to take in. A joyful afternoon. We came onto Piccadilly with wide smiles and a twinkle in the eye.