Amanda J.
Dalston
40 reviews
Always suprising
18 Nov 07, 20:52
Beyond expectations
After enduring a maddening walk through London tourists in Picadilly Circus, I arrived at the Royal Academy, tucked away off Picadilly, for yet another afternoon spent perusing the galleries.
There are multiple galleries in the Royal Academy but usually I spend my time in the main galleries or the Sackler Wing upstairs. Exhibitions change every few months and they can be quite varied. In the recent few years they have shown: Georg Baselitz, Rodin, Munch, Bronze sculptures from India (Chola), an exhibition on portraiture from the 1760-1830 as well as the annual Summer Exhibition.
The Summer Exhibition is the largest open submission art exhibition and receives over 9000 pieces of artwork. Only a fraction are shown in the exhibition but even so, the rooms are the main gallery are filled to the brim with all manner of artworks. It's one of my favourite exhibitions every year.
Whilst the RA does not have many free exhibitions and may subsequently not be high on the list for those with only a passing interest, it's a must visit for those with a passion for art.
Wonderful Wonderful
15 May 07, 20:47
Beyond expectations
Visit the Royal Academy and you feel the full weight of this great institution all around you. The permanent collections are perhaps not as impressive in comparison to say, the V&A or National Portrait, but the blockbuster shows are often breathtaking. Rodin in 2006 was fabulous. And you can pop over the road to the Wolseley for tea after the culture.
