The illustration of the Red Amaryllis appears in the fifth volume of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, presented to the Society in 1824. From its foundation in 1754 the RSA took a strong interest in plants and planting, ranging from its major tree planting campaign in the 18th century; improvement of land for planting; production of food crops for both man and beast, such as potatoes, carrots, apples etc.; to medicinal plants such as opium and rhubarb. The Society also encourage the development of botanical gardens in Britain's colonies to raise viable plants, including spices, for transportation between the colonies and the United Kingdom. in recent time the Amaryllis has become a popular Christmas gift, flowering in the months thereafter. 9,680 copies sold
Illustration taken from 'Sketches Towards a Hortus Botanicus Americanus...of New and Valuable Plants of the West Indies and North and South America' by W J Titford MD Corresponding member of the Society of Arts, 1812. The Society encouraged the development of the Botanic Garden at St Vincent, where Captain William Bligh left some tropical fruits, including breadfruit for which he was awarded the Society gold medal in 1794.
English Holly, Ilex aquifolium, photographed in the New Forest, Hampshire, one afternoon in late December by Andrea Jones, FRSA
Taken from a bas-relief in marble by Ernst Rietchel, a renowned 19th century European sculptor. 'The Angel is represented in the form of a graceful youth floating in the air with the infant saviour in his arms; two infant Angels attend his course. This group has a peculiar charm from the beauty of the heads and figures, the grace of the action, the suddenness of the movement impressed on the flying drapery, and the masterly yet tender handling of the marble'. Extract from the jurors commentary in the Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Taken from a rare mezzotint from the Society's collection. At 20 years of age Lawrie received a bounty of 30 guineas in 1776 from the Society for 'disclosing his method of printing mezzotint in colour'. Lawrie copied the bird form one brought back by Captain Cook in the previous year at the conclusion of his second great voyage of discovery.
This panel from 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' shows the winning athletes passing by Pericles, Socrates and other Ancients. The aged Diagoras is carried on the shoulders of his victorious sons.
This detail from the sixth painting in 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' shows Lycurgus, William Penn, Alfred the Great and other famous lawgivers.
The painting was commissioned by the Society as part of a memorial to the Prince Consort's Presidency of the Society
An early portrait of the Irish history painter, James Barry, painted while he was studying in Rome. Blanchett who had settled in Italy, is known for his portraits of the exiled Stuarts.
Mary Moser made this prize winning drawing when she was only 15. She subsequently became a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts
This painting was bequeathed to the Society in 1861 by Lady Brown, widow of Captain Sir Samuel Brown, RN (1776-1852), the engineer of the bridge and for many years a member of the Society. Brown invented an improved method of manufacturing links for chain cables which greatly extended their use in the construction of suspension bridges and landing piers. Brown's bar link was first employed in the Union Bridge, completed in July 1820 and subsequently in the Chain Pier at Brighton. The bridge is 18ft wide, 368ft long and the distance between the points of suspension is 432ft. It was the earliest suspension bridge erected in Great Britain calculated for the passage of loaded carriages. The painting itself was executed before the bridge was built to show the effect it would have on the landscape. The large building discernible on the skyline in the centre of the picture, standing high on the northern bank of the Tweed is Paxton House, built to the designs of James and John Adam in the 1750's, with later additions by Robert Reid. Like the bridge, it still stands in fine condition.
Second painting in 'The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture' series
The drawing was presented to the Society after Barry's death by the engraver Charles Warren, who called it 'a strong characteristic likeness of that....most singular man'.
Landseer awarded the lesser silver palette for this drawing, done when he was 11 years old.
Drawn from life in the year of the Prince's betrothal to Queen Victoria. Painting presented to the Society by Sir Hilary Blood, Chairman of Council, 1963-65
Painted for the Society, of which Lord Romney was a founding member and President (1761-1793)
Shipley was a drawing master and the founder of the Society, Cosway was one of his most brilliant pupils
Roxburgh was elected an Honorary Corresponding Member of the Society in 1797 and awarded the Society's Gold Medal in 1805 for his communications on East India products