ABOUT THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF PORTRAIT PAINTERS:

Created in 1891, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters aims to encourage the appreciation, study and practice of portraiture. The Society is at the same time a well-respected institution with a long history of celebrating the tradition of portrait painting, and an influential champion of contemporary art, seeking to develop new artistic models and perspectives. Today, the Royal Society of Portrait Painters brings together diverse artistic approaches that continue to make a significant contribution to British art, and encourages new artists to explore the art of portraiture and show their work alongside the Society’s members…

ABOUT THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION:

The Royal Society of Portrait Painters invites artists from all over the world to submit portraits for its Annual Exhibition, which will bring together over 200 portraits at The Mall Galleries.

Attracting many art lovers in central London, the show at The Mall Galleries is a unique professional opportunity for portrait artists, as it sees a great number of works being sold to collectors, and just as many commissions being placed with exhibiting artists.

The exhibition is selected by a committee of elected members of the society - all leading and currently practising portrait painters - which makes being shortlisted a mark of distinction in itself. Selected artists also have a chance to win cash prizes totalling over £23,000, including the Ondaatje Prize for Portraiture of £10,000, and the RP Award of £2,000, which goes to the artist whose work best represents this year’s theme: childhood.

Does your work include portraits? Then, you are welcome to take part! Artists from around the world can submit paintings, drawings and original prints before 15 January 2021, 12pm noon.

The submission fee is £20 per work for standard entries and £14 per work for artists aged 35 or under. This includes free admission to the exhibition (normally £4).