Social Links - The Royal Society of Portrait Painters

Discover links to content we’re sharing on our social channels.

Annual Exhibition 2022

Commission a Portrait

Call for Entries 2022

Cover for Royal Society of Portrait Painters

9,786

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

To promote the practice of and further excellence in painted portraiture

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

6 days ago

#2026prizewinners:Art dealer and historian Philip Mould opened our Annual Exhibition along with Anthony Connolly PRP, who announced this year's prizewinners!Today we highlight our main prize winner James Lloyd with his painting called 'Portrait of Ishbel' for winning The William Lock Portrait Prize. - £20,000 for the most timeless portrait with a real feeling for paint and its aesthetic potential. Plus our two runner-up prizes of £500 each going to Julia Hawkins NEAC ROI, with 'Portrait of Emma' and Antony Williams NEAC VPRP, with 'Jean' You can discover the full list of winners via the link in our bio.Congratulations to all winners!Our Annual Exhibition is still ON NOW – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries! Images: James Lloyd, 'Portrait of Ishbel', Julia Hawkins NEAC ROI, 'Portrait of Emma' & Antony Williams NEAC VPRP, 'Jean' + Mark Sepple photography@james_lloyd_drawings@juliahawkinsart@antonywilliams1410@marksepplephoto ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#BOOKNOW:Portraits of Women, Portrayals of Virtue - A special talk by Andrew Graham-Dixon!Join acclaimed art historian Andrew Graham-Dixon for a revelatory talk on his new biography, Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found.Drawing on newly uncovered archival material, he offers a dramatic reassessment of Johannes Vermeer—not as the isolated genius of legend, but as a painter deeply embedded in the radical, intellectual, and political life of the Dutch Golden Age.In this illustrated talk, he will reveal Vermeer’s hitherto unknown friendships and the powerful women who shaped both his private life and career; offering fresh interpretations of beloved masterpieces including The Milkmaid, The Little Street, and Girl with a Pearl Earring.Andrew Graham-Dixon’s book, Vermeer: A Life Lost and Found will be available to purchase from the gallery shop (priced £30). When?Thursday 14 May, 6pm (for 6:30pm start) to 8pm @mallgalleries! Book your spot using this link: buyart.mallgalleries.org.uk/special-talk-portraits-of-women-portrayals-of-virtue/ or go to our website: www.therp.co.uk - link in bio too.- Tickets £20, including free admission to the RP Annual Exhibition 2026 (normally £7) Our Annual Exhibition is also open NOW - 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwiseImage: Mark Sepple, Annual Exhibition PV 2026@marksepplephoto ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#Annualexhibition2026:ON NOW @mallgalleries!“The Society’s Annual Open Exhibition is probably the largest and most significant celebration of contemporary portrait painting in Europe. The show is always selected by a jury of practising portrait painters, no critics, no journalists, no celebrities – just painters.”-Anthony Connolly – President Check out this years events programme - view it via the link in our bio or here: www.therp.co.uk Today we share exhibiting portrait by Li Ning...“This is a self-portrait I completed this year. Self-portraiture has always been a deeply important subject in my practice. Through repeated acts of observing and depicting myself, I often feel, during the painting process, that the painting reveals psychological states of which I am not consciously aware in everyday life—as if I were painting an unfamiliar person.In this work, the painter (myself) is depicted in the studio at night, illuminated by a restrained light within an otherwise dark environment.” -Li NingON NOW – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries! Image: Li Ning, 'Portrait of the Artist in the Studio at Night'@li_ning_painter ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#winnerannouncement:Critical Writing Prize 2025:The RP Critical Writing Prize is an award for new writing on any aspect of contemporary portrait painting, particularly writing which is enquiring, provoking, and jargon-free.One of the aims of the prize is to provide a platform for aspiring writers on the visual arts and specifically to spark intelligent conversation about the contemporary portrait.The judges were extremely impressed with this year's response.Our 2025 WINNER IS:ENXI LIU with 'The Privilege of Slowness'!Read Enxi's winning essay on our website or via the link in our bio: www.therp.co.ukAnd well done to RUTH O'CONNEL and EMECHETA CHRISTIAN for being shortlisted.Our Annual Exhibition is also open from TODAY - 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries! And finally, Our 2026 Writing Prize Open Call is now open - go to our website for further details: www.therp.co.uk or link in bio.Image: Antony Williams RP , ‘Emma’ @marksepplephoto@_enxiliu@art_by_ruththeresa@emechetachristian ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

1 week ago

#Annualexhibition2026:WE ARE BACK TOMORROW!@mallgalleriesThe country’s leading portrait exhibition presents some of the best painted and drawn portraiture selected from both national and international submissions. The work on display is diverse, bringing together high-profile commissions of public figures, alongside more personal portraits of less familiar faces.The exhibition promotes artistic excellence in portraiture, offering major prizes and an excellent opportunity for commissions.This year includes an exquisite events programme - view it via the link in our bio or here: www.therp.co.uk -"The Glass is a portrait of my friend Charlotte, painted in acrylic on a wooden panel over three months.I remember noticing how the glass sat slightly apart from her, almost like it belonged to a different moment. She was there, but not fully caught somewhere between rest and distraction. That tension felt important.I worked on it slowly, letting the space and light do most of the talking. It became less about capturing her exactly, and more about holding onto that strange, quiet feeling you can’t quite explain."-Raoof HaghighiWhen?7 May – 19 May, (closed to the public all day 12 May)Open 10am to 5pm otherwise @mallgalleries! Image: Raoof Haghighi, 'The Glass'@raoof.h ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook