Exhibition

Royal Society of Portrait Painters | The Show Goes On

3 Mar 2020 – 29 Mar 2020

Regular hours

Tuesday
10:00 – 17:00
Wednesday
10:00 – 17:00
Thursday
10:00 – 17:00
Friday
10:00 – 17:00
Saturday
10:00 – 17:00
Sunday
10:00 – 17:00

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Mall Galleries

London, United Kingdom

Address

Travel Information

  • Bus: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 23, 24, 29, 53, 87, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 179, 453
  • Tube: Charing Cross (2 minutes walk), Piccadilly Circus (5 minutes walk), Embankment (5 minutes walk)
  • Rail: Charing Cross
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Event map

This show features actors, comedians, musicians, dancers, models, playwrights and burlesque artistes painted by current members of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, using a breadth of stylistic and intellectual approaches.

About

It was inspired by  2019 ‘loan painting’ of Lillie Langtry (actress) by Watts from the Watts Gallery and because it was to have its opening run at the Watts Gallery alongside an exhibition of William Orpen (PPRP) who, like Watts in his day, moved in bohemian and theatrical circles and made many portraits of theatrical folk and society figures alongside more ‘serious’ subjects.

We are also featuring portfolios to give those wishing to commission a portrait a better idea of the body of work for each member.

The Society makes a significant contribution to the ongoing tradition of portraiture and seeks to explore and develop new artistic perspectives in this endlessly fascinating discipline.

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters was founded in 1891 by 24 artists who were dissatisfied with the Royal Academy. They formed themselves into a new body concerned solely with portrait painting, electing members on the quality of their work. In 1961 the Society was one of the Founding Members of the Federation of British Artists, now housed at Mall Galleries.

Members are elected by their peers for the excellence of their work.  Their portraits are represented in the major art collections and their sitters include some of the most notable people of their times.  Portrait commissions are vital to this genre which, far from being exclusive, is supported by a broad range of people. Many RP member portraits are in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery and across the country in both public and private spaces.

The Society continues to attract many commissions, both public and private. There is always a large audience for its annual show at Mall Galleries and much critical interest in its members.

The RP remains as vital today as ever, an enduring force within the genre and a testament to our continued fascination with portraiture.

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters’ Annual Exhibition opens here 7 to 22 May. Exhibiting over 200 highly selected works this is the best showcase for recent portraits in the country.

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