It's ancient
Held annually since 1769, the Summer Exhibition has showcased the likes of Turner and Constable. But it’s the mixed bag of works by famous names and unknowns
that makes the show unique – and uniquely democratic.
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Everything you need to know about the summer staple of London's art scene
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is the largest open-submission exhibition in the world. For 2015, its 247th year, it'll be serving up its time-honoured mix of painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture by established and unknown artists. It’s a winning formula. Here are five things that make the Exhibition such a unique London event.
Held annually since 1769, the Summer Exhibition has showcased the likes of Turner and Constable. But it’s the mixed bag of works by famous names and unknowns
that makes the show unique – and uniquely democratic.
Biggest open-submission exhibition in the world, that is. This year 12,000 entries were received. These were whittled down to 1,262 exhibited works including paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs. Prices from £30.
Traditionally a day for adding final touches to exhibited works, Non-Members Varnishing Day (Jun 2) is now marked by a steel band performance in the RA courtyard, followed by a celebratory parade of artists to St James’s Piccadilly.
It’s weathered the storm of many world events, but the Exhibition hasn’t been entirely immune from politics. In 1914 suffragette Mary Wood took a meat cleaver to Sargent’s portrait of author Henry James (photograph of the damaged painting, pictured).
During the exhibition hang, Academicians knock back fortifying beef tea, an unctuous concoction of Bovril, sherry and water prepared by red collared RA staff. If the pictures are askew, this could be the reason.
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