Originally built in the 19th century as the home of the University of London, Burlington Gardens re-opened to the public in 2018 following a major redevelopment. The Collection Gallery is one of the building’s two gallery spaces, and showcases iconic artworks from the Royal Academy of Arts’ collection, currently with the theme of ‘The Great Tradition’ – learning from Old Masters.
The Collection Gallery features work by leading early Royal Academicians together with pieces that are reflective of the Royal Academy’s foundation and early history, including an almost full-sized 16th Century copy of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and casts of key classical sculptures, most notably the Belvedere Torso as well as Michelangelo’s Taddei Tondo.
The Tondo was given to the RA in 1829 following the death of Lady Margaret Beaumont, the wife of the collector George Beaumont, who bought the work in 1822 and bequeathed it to the nation. It is the only sculpture by Michelangelo in a UK collection.
This space provides a unique location for breakfasts and evening events and can be combined with hire of the Benjamin West Lecture Theatre or, for Corporate Members, a private view of the exhibitions in the Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Galleries.