Exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts are a great way to relax and stretch one's mind. Set on Piccadilly in the heart of London, the gallery is near landmark attractions such as Fortnum and Mason and St James's Park.
There is also a particularly delicious chocolate shop not far from the gallery called La Maison du Chocolat.
Sargent and the Sea at the Royal Academy of Arts, London
Though John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) is well known for his portraits, less attention is paid to the painter's early passion for the sea. This upcoming exhibition seeks to shed light on this important and beautiful stage in his career. It runs from 10th July - 26th September 2010
Most of the work centres on the period 1874-1880, though there will also be a section devoted to some watercolours painted in Venice later in his life.
Of particular note is the work, En Route pour la Peche (Setting Out to Fish) (1878), which will be shown alongside a selection of the studies he made for the painting. It is always interesting to discover how an artist plans his/her work, and visitors will also be able to see a scrapbook of his.
John Singer Sargent - An Artist with a Love of Travel
Sargent was clearly passionate about travel, as the wide variety of locations for these paintings show. Indeed, the American painter was born in Florence and schooled in France, Italy and Germany. After studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, he continued to live in the city until controversy regarding his painting Miss X necessitated a move to London. He was successful here, running a studio and eventually becoming a Royal Academician.
Later in his life he spent significant time in America, perhaps showing a desire to return to his roots.
Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly - Nearby Attractions
If you have some time to spare after visiting the Sargent exhibition, why not take a walk around St James's across the road? One of London's most luxurious areas, just walking around the beautiful streets is an experience in itself. Jermyn Street is famous for luxury tailoring, and on Duke Street you can see a statue of Regency dandy Beau Brummel. On it you will find his most famous style advice: "To be truly elegant, one should not be noticed."
St James's is also home to one of London's most famous modern art galleries - a fabulous contrast to your visit to the Royal Academy. Hugely influential, Jay Jopling's White Cube played an instrumental role in launching the careers of Young Brit Artists such as Damien Hirst, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Tracey Emin and Sam Taylor-Wood. You can find it on Mason's Yard.
Details of the Sargent and the Sea Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy is open from 10am - 6pm daily, with a later closing time of 6pm on Fridays.
Admission prices for the Sargent exhibition are as follows:
- Adults - £10
- Over 60 / registered disabled - £9
- Students - £8 (with an NUS or ISIC card)
- Income Support - £4
- Children aged 7 and under - free of charge
- Children aged 8-11 - £3
- Children/teenagers aged 12-18 - £4
Tickets can be purchased on the day (subject to availability). To book in advance, phone 0844-209-1919 or go to the Royal Academy website.
How to get to the Royal Academy of Arts
The Royal Academy is on Piccadilly in Central London. The nearest tube stations are Green Park (on the Victoria, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines) and Piccadilly Circus (on the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines).
Sources / Further Reading:
- Press Release: Sargent and the Sea (Courtesy of the Royal Academy of Arts)
- Britannica Biographical Encyclopedia of Artists Book 4 (The Brown Reference Group plc, 2005)
Victoria Robinson - Victoria Robinson is a freelance article writer based in Chester, a beautiful and historical city in the North West of England. She has a ...
