| Royal Academy of Arts | |
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| Established | 1768 |
| Location | Piccadilly London, W1, England, United Kingdom |
| Visitor figures | 1,285,595 (2016) |
| President | Christopher Le Brun |
| Public transit access |  Green Park; Piccadilly Circus |
| Website | royalacademy.org.uk |
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.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Satiric drawing of Sir William Chambers, one of the founders, trying to slay the 8-headed hydra of the Incorporated Society of Artists
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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.
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Christopher Le Brun, president of the RA, on "Varnishing Day", the artists' opening of the Summer Exhibition, 2015
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The Virgin and Child with the Infant St John
