The Permanent Collection of the Royal Academy of Arts dates from the foundation of the Academy in 1768. The principal elements are the diploma works presented by members of the Royal Academy upon election, including many important paintings, sculptures and architectural drawings; the teaching collections used in the Schools, including engravings, copies of Old Masters and plaster casts of antique sculptures; portraits (including self-portraits) of Academicians; architectural drawings and contemporary prints; the holdings of the research Library and the historic book collection, and the archives of the Royal Academy, comprising both the official archive and deposited artists' papers.