Thursday, May 05, 2022

Annual Exhibition 2022 of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters

The Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters opened to the public today at the Mall Galleries in London. It continues until 14th May.

It's the pre-eminent exhibition of portraiture in the UK. If you want to be a portrait artist you need to get an artwork hung in this exhibition in order to reach a wider public who commission portraits. 

This annual exhibition is an occasion for the public to enjoy the Society's artist members' most recent works and to discover new talents selected amongst thousands of applications for this show. It is a celebration of the very best in contemporary portraiture nationally and internationally.
This is not an exhibition where it is expected that great paintings will sell. This is because they might have been done as commissions and are being allowed by their owners to be exhibited. This applies to artists selected through the open entry and well as members.

An example are the three portraits below by Alistair Adams - a Past President of the RSPP - who works almost entirely to commission - often for large corporate organisations. 

(See more about how to commission a portrait )

Three portraits of leading University Academics by Alistair Adams PPRP

It's unlikely that I'll be able to get to this exhibition (although today's very slow walk to the Polling Station was promising) - so it's unlikely I can provide a review of what's in the show.

However you can see the artworks in the exhibition by 
Plus you can see all the portraits which won prizes and find out about their artists on the RSPP's Facebook Page.

I don't see any planned events so I'm assuming none are planned. 

A Special Display Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee


This year's exhibition is special because it includes a special display for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Members of the RSPP have been commissioned in the past to paint the Queen. The display includes a special collection of portraits of her painted by member artists:
The range of portraits on display:    
  • represent her reign to the present day, and 
  • demonstrate a wide array of artistic styles, sizes, mediums, and methods.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING: The 17 minute video below provides more information about this display of portraits of the Queen and includes painters talking about their portraits and approach to portraiture. 

 

Exhibition Details

  • Venue: Mall Galleries, The Mall, London
  • Dates: 5-14th May 2022
  • Hours: 10am - 5pm (i.e. back to normal hours)
  • Late Night: On Wednesday 11th May the exhibition is open 11am - 7pm
  • No tickets required - but entrance fee is £5 (unless you are a Friend of Mall Galleries or under 25 years of age)

About the Royal Society of Portrait Painters

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters contains a broad collection of stylistic and intellectual approaches that continue to make a significant contribution to the ongoing tradition of portraiture in Britain today. The Society vigorously looks to uphold the values and practices of its long and distinguished history, but at the same time, it seeks to explore and develop new artistic models and perspectives in this endlessly fascinating and relevant discipline
Website: https://therp.co.uk/

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