Photo Essay: The Royal Academy of Arts Building

Just off Savile Row is Burlington House, the home of the Royal Academy of Arts. It is an imposing building and unfortunately I did not have enough time to go inside. It was too late anyway. These are the photographs that I took of this building which stands for an extraordinary mission to promote arts.

Here’s the facade of the building. It is crammed full of statues but more about that later.  What I find most creditable is that this is being supported by private shows, exhibitions, subscriptions and private donations. Proof that art does not have to suck on the tit of the taxpayer to live, and live quite long as a matter of fact.

The building has a very long history but its still less that the history of the RAA. The RAA was founded way back in 1768, as an institution to support the Arts.

The entrance.

The Royal Arms signifying that this is of Royal Patronage.

The building has Corinthian columns, a very impressive balcony and carved if a bit dirty set of statues.

As I mentioned, the facade is full of statues, many thankfully and conveniently labelled. The this building was made in the 19th century so reflects the hero’s of that time. There are three rows of statues. One on the first floor in niches, the second row on top of the roof and then free standing statues on the balcony.

 
 

 
There are niches in the facade and from top down, these belong to Leibnitz, Cuvier, Linnaeus, Bacon, Adam Smith and Locke. These people are the giants on whose shoulders we rest. Leibnitz is perhaps one of the world’s greatest polymaths. The man has written, invented and discussed on such a huge range of topics. Brilliant. Same as Bacon. How about Locke? Perhaps one of the greatest philosophers who had one of the biggest impacts on human civilisation, enlightenment and impacted great documents such as the American Declaration of Independence. Mind you, if he had seen what the current “liberals” have done with his ideas, he will be spinning in the grave, but if you can, read up on his work, brilliant fellow.

 
  

 

These are the six statues on the right hand side of the building but unfortunately, none of them are labelled. So no idea about who these worthies are. But the ones on the left have a stone plaque.

 

 
 
  

Cicero, Galen, Plato, Archimedes, Justinian and Aristotle. The olden greats. Cicero, one of my hero’s. Brilliant fellow. I can understand the collection but not sure about Justinian.

Then you have the free standing statues.
 
 

Newton, Bentham, Milton and Harvey.

Some lovely carvings on the walls.
 
Couple of interesting objects. On the left is a clock, which sadly looks like its stopped and a wind vane indicator, which also looks like its stopped.

A lovely lamp.

Here is the entrance to the RAA School, the only school here in the UK which offers a three year degree in art.



A sign pointing to an exhibition. One day I will go inside and check out the wonders this place offers. Here’s the slideshow with more photographs with higher resolution.