The Royal West of England Academy’s opening exhibition will feature two pieces from a distinguished painter: King Charles III.
His Majesty has loaned two of his watercolours to the Academy’s Gallery for them to be featured in the exhibition that will open this new academic year.
The two paintings in question are called “Kilphedir Pool on The River Helmsdale, Sutherland” from 2013, and “Brecon Beacons from Llwynywermod” from 2016. They were both painted when His Majesty was still the Prince of Wales, and, judging from the name, they both portray landscapes from the country that gives the title to the heir to the British throne.
This is not the first time that Charles III has loaned his paintings to the Gallery, but it will be the first time that his works will be showcased as being painted by the King.
The Monarch has been painting for the past 50 years, having learned his technique from some of the most important names in the art world, like John Napper and Derek Hill; however, despite having studied all media, he only ever used watercolour, which is his favourite.
His works have been exhibited several times, including for the first time in 1977 alongside those created by Queen Victoria, another royal lover of watercolour paintings, and pieces by the Duke of Edinburgh.
His Majesty has been an honorary academician of the Royal West of England Academy for the past 14 years, but the tradition of royal patronage for the institution goes even further back; the “Royal” status was awarded in 1913 by King George V, and the RWA has had a royal patron ever since.
This will be the 169th year that the exhibition will take place, making it one of the oldest art exhibitions in the United Kingdom. In 2022, it opened on Saturday 8th October and will end on the 8th of January 2023.
