Articles
Portraiture
Our Collection
6 months ago
How to read it: Annie Swynnerton’s The Letter
In 1922, the Royal Academy elected its first female member in over 150 years, Annie Swynnerton – here’s how to read her enigmatic painting of a young woman.
Our Collection
9 months ago
How to read it: Frank Cadogan Cowper’s Vanity
Combining allusions to both Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite painting, Frank Cadogan Cowper’s Vanity celebrates beauty while cautioning against excessive self-regard. Unravel the painting’s influences in this three-minute read.
Our Collection
> 2 years ago
The RA Collection in 250 objects: Around the World
To celebrate our 250th birthday this year, we’re highlighting 250 beautiful, odd and inspiring objects from the RA Collection across 25 themes. In this edition, we’re setting forth across the seven seas to discover works by artists who voyaged across the globe, drawing what they saw.
RA Exhibitions
< 3 years ago
Chantal Joffe RA: “If I can paint it, I can deal with it”
With a nude self-portrait currently on show in our From Life exhibition, Chantal Joffe discusses her models, inspiration and artistic process with the show’s curator, Adrian Locke.
RA Exhibitions
3 years ago
360 video: how Jonathan Yeo turned virtual reality into bronze
As part of our From Life exhibition project, painter Jonathan Yeo has been depicting his own body in virtual reality. In this 360 degree video, explore his studio as he creates a virtual self-portrait to be 3D-printed as a sculpture.
Our Collection
3 years ago
How to read it: Henry Raeburn’s Boy and Rabbit
Take a closer look at Henry Raeburn’s Boy and Rabbit, an intimate family portrait from the RA Collection.
RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
Podcast: Matisse’s portraits
In the studio, Matisse battled between portraying a physical resemblance of his sitter and what he understood to be their more lasting, essential character. Co-curator Ellen McBreen explores how the artist explored the possibilities of portraiture throughout his career.
Our Collection
> 3 years ago
How to read it: Lawrence Alma-Tadema RA’s A Family Group
This painting-within-a-painting by Lawrence Alma-Tadema depicts his artist wife and her siblings examining an earlier work by the couple, painted to symbolise their marriage.
RA Recommends
> 4 years ago
Hats off to Picasso
Picasso’s friends and family are the focus of an exhibition showing how portraiture pushed the artist forward, writes Christopher Baker
RA Exhibitions
> 4 years ago
David Bailey in conversation with Tim Marlow
Watch a video of legendary photographer and filmmaker David Bailey in conversation with the RA’s Artistic Director Tim Marlow, discussing his influential work and innovative portrait photographs from the last 60 years.
RA Recommends
> 4 years ago
Podcast: David Bailey in conversation with Tim Marlow
In conversation with the RA’s Artistic Director Tim Marlow, legendary photographer and filmmaker David Bailey discusses his influential work and innovative portrait photographs from the last 60 years.
RA Exhibitions
> 4 years ago
David Hockney: podcast round-up
From a curator’s introduction to reflections on portraiture from academics and artists, catch up on discussions surrounding our David Hockney exhibition.
RA Exhibitions
> 4 years ago
Video: In the studio with David Hockney RA
David Hockney RA talks to curator Edith Devaney about his Royal Academy exhibition ‘82 Portraits and 1 Still-life’.
RA Exhibitions
< 6 years ago
Five masters who looked to Rubens
Rubens was one of the most influential artists of all time. Here, we profile his relationship with five major artists that came after him.
RA Exhibitions
6 years ago
Why Moroni should be as famous as Titian
As visitors to the RA discover the work of Giovanni Battista Moroni, James Hall looks at the particular genius of this overlooked Renaissance portraitist – and why he lost out to the likes of Titian.
RA Exhibitions
6 years ago
A tailor meets ‘The Tailor’
We ask a Savile Row tailor to give us an insider’s perspective on Moroni’s iconic portrait ‘The Tailor’.
Opinion
6 years ago
Grayson Perry RA’s portraits of Britain
The Royal Academician’s major exhibition in London turns to us, the people of modern Britain, unveiling 14 new portraits that spotlight the complexities behind our identity.
Opinion
> 6 years ago
Point of view: What it’s like to sit for a portrait
As our exhibition of the great portraitist Giovanni Battista Moroni opens, the RA’s Charles Saumarez Smith reflects on the experience of having his own portrait painted.