Collections and Library
Sir Joshua Reynolds PRA (1723-1792), Self-portrait. Oil on panel, 1270 X 1016 mm The collection focuses on British art and artists and predominantly ranges from the 18th century to the present day. Highlights in the collection of paintings and sculpture include major works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Turner, Constable, Alma-Tadema, Flaxman, Millais, Leighton, Waterhouse, Sargent, Spencer and Hockney. The Collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, historic books, archives, historic photographs and plaster casts.
Cataloguing the Royal Academy’s Collection
This is a project to conserve, photograph and catalogue works of art, books and archives from the Collection and make the information available on this website through a fully searchable database with accompanying images. Visit our Collections website and search the catalogue.
Royal Academy of Arts Research Library
Established at the time of the Academy’s foundation in 1768 to serve the needs of the Members of the Royal Academy and students in its Schools, the Royal Academy of Arts Library is the oldest institutional fine arts library in the United Kingdom. In fulfilling this role it has built up significant collections of books and other material such as archives, prints, drawings and photographs relating to British art and the history of the Academy, its Members, Schools, exhibitions and collections since the mid-18th century. The Research Library and Archive is open to the public by appointment.
Royal Academy of Arts Picture Library
Images of works and objects in the Academy's collection are available to purchase or for hire. Visit the Picture Library
