The British royal family's art collection is one of the largest in the world, bringing together centuries' worth of extraordinary masterpieces. Kings and queens have collected art since the beginning of the British monarchy. From rare drawings by Leonardo da Vinci to iconic paintings, this collection tells the story of monarchy, power, and cultural refinement across generations. Here are some of the most iconic artworks from the British Royal Collection.
Virgin and Child with Saint Peter, Saint Mark, and a Donor
Giovanni Bellini was a painter of the Venetian school, known for his realist drawings and choice of subject. This oil-on-panel painting, created around 1505, depicts a biblical scene. This iconic piece of Venetian Renaissance art depicts the Madonna and Child alongside the two saints and a kneeling donor figure. It now resides in the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb
Painted by Rembrandt in 1638, this work shows a moment from the Bible, right after Christ comes back to life. While most artists paint the moment Mary Magdalene recognises the resurrected Jesus, Rembrandt depicts the moment just before. This painting currently resides in the Royal Collection in London.
Cartoon of the Miraculous Draft of Fishes
One of the finest surviving Raphael Cartoons, this work was commissioned by Pope Leo X in the early 16th century. One of the seven 'cartoons', it shows a biblical scene in which Jesus calls Simon Peter to become an apostle and a 'fisher of men'. This rare artwork is now displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Bacchus and Ariadne
One of Titian's masterpieces, Bacchus and Ariadne was painted between 1520 and 1523. Inspired by the classical works of Roman poets Catullus and Ovid, this oil painting is considered one of the finest mythological works by the Renaissance artist. The painting immortalizes the moment the wine god Bacchus sees Ariadne, who has just been abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos. This iconic work is now displayed at the National Gallery in London.
The Tribuna of the Uffizi
Johann Zoffany's Tribuna of the Uffizi is a masterpiece commissioned by Queen Charlotte in 1772. The real beauty of Zoffany's painting lies in its detail. He did not just paint the octagonal showpiece room in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence; he captured the tiniest details. The painting is currently part of the Royal Collection in the UK.
