Royal Academy facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
The Exhibition Room at Somerset House by Thomas Rowlandson and Augustus Pugin. 1800.
An early Summer Exhibition at the Academy's original home in Somerset House.
Royal Academy Simon Fieldhouse
Royal Academy London

The Royal Academy (RA), is an art institution based in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London. It is a club for top painters and sculptors. They elect their own members, and give regular exhibitions of art works.

The Royal Academy was formed to rival the Society of Artists after an leadership dispute between two leading architects, Sir William Chambers and James Paine. Paine won, but Chambers used his strong connections with King George III to create the Royal Academy, in 1768. It was formally launched the following year.

Sir Joshua Reynolds was its first president, and Benjamin West its second.

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Images for kids

  • A scene of a pantamime entertainment lately exhibited LCCN2002716141

    Satiric drawing of Sir William Chambers, one of the founders, trying to slay the 8-headed hydra of the Incorporated Society of Artists

  • The Royal Academicians assembled in their council chamber to adjudge the Medals

    Study for Henry Singleton's painting The Royal Academicians assembled in their council chamber to adjudge the Medals to the successful students in Painting, Sculpture, Architecture and Drawing, which hangs in the Royal Academy. Ca. 1793.

  • RA Summer Exhibition 2015, Varnishing Day, opening speech Christopher Le Brun

    Christopher Le Brun, president of the RA, on "Varnishing Day", the artists' opening of the Summer Exhibition, 2015

  • Burlington House

    The Royal Academy at Burlington House

  • Taddei Tondo

    The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John


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