The Royal Academy of Arts Winter Programme consistently hosts London's most ambitious and internationally resonant art exhibitions, marking the cultural peak of the season. Located at Burlington House, the Academy launches its major shows in the autumn, spanning the critical winter months and often continuing through the following spring.
The 2025 season highlights include a major focus on Brazilian Modernism and a significant survey of contemporary American painting. Since the RA is an independent charity that receives no government funding, the success of these ticketed exhibitions is crucial for its operations, including the renowned Royal Academy Schools. The winter schedule is meticulously curated to engage a broad audience while stimulating critical dialogue on both historical and modern artistic narratives, reports The WP Times.
Spotlight on Modernism: Brasil! Brasil! and Global Perspectives
The Royal Academy of Arts Winter Programme anchors its early 2025 schedule with the comprehensive exhibition, "Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism," running from January 28 to April 21, 2025. This crucial show focuses on the dynamic development of Modernism in South America.
The exhibition is set to display over 130 works, charting the period from the 1910s to the 1970s, by pivotal Brazilian artists who merged international trends with rich indigenous and Afro-Brazilian cultural influences. Many of the featured artworks, including pieces by Tarsila do Amaral, originate from rarely seen Brazilian private collections, making this a rare viewing opportunity in the UK. This major survey aims to redefine the global understanding of modern art beyond the typical European narrative. Later in the year, the Academy shifts its focus with "A Story of South Asian Art," featuring the work of sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee, starting on October 31, 2025.
Key Details for the Early 2025 Exhibitions
Eight sentences detailing the exhibition: The exhibition "Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism" at the Royal Academy of Arts is scheduled to run from January 28 to April 21, 2025, providing a crucial focus during the colder winter months. This comprehensive show will display over 130 artworks, tracing the evolution of Brazilian art from the early 20th century through to the 1970s. The selection features ten influential Brazilian artists, including celebrated figures such as Tarsila do Amaral and the African-Brazilian artist Ruben Valentim. A significant portion of the works is being drawn from Brazilian private collections, ensuring that much of the content has never before been seen by the public in the United Kingdom. The exhibition structure will dedicate individual gallery spaces to several of the featured artists, allowing for an in-depth study of their unique contributions to the modernist movement. This collaborative project, organized with the Zentrum Paul Klee, underscores the growing international appreciation for the complexity and depth of South American artistic modernism. The show’s narrative carefully moves across different stylistic periods, demonstrating how Brazilian artists synthesized global trends with local cultural narratives, moving from figurative art to pure abstraction. This specific focus on Brazilian Modernism is expected to be a major cultural draw, appealing to both academic audiences and the general public seeking fresh perspectives beyond the typical European canon.
| Exhibition | Focus | Key Artists Featured | Duration (RA) |
| Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism | South American Modernism (1910s – 1970s) | Tarsila do Amaral, Ruben Valentim | Jan 28 – Apr 21, 2025 |
| Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo | Graphic Art | Victor Hugo | Mar 21 – Jun 29, 2025 |
| Kerry James Marshall: The Histories | Contemporary Painting (Representation) | Kerry James Marshall | Sep 20, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026 |
Contemporary Giants: Kerry James Marshall and Victor Hugo's Drawings
The Royal Academy of Arts Winter Programme also features significant contemporary voices and historical surprises. The major survey, "Kerry James Marshall: The Histories," running from September 20, 2025, to January 18, 2026, is a must-see event for contemporary art lovers.
Kerry James Marshall is recognized as one of the most important living American painters, whose large-scale works critically engage with the representation and history of the Black figure in Western art. This exhibition is anticipated to be a powerful, essential examination of his social and historical narratives. Earlier in the year, the "Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo," running from March 21 to June 29, 2025, reveals the lesser-known but equally profound talent of the great French novelist as an experimental draftsman, offering a unique private view into his artistic world. These diverse exhibitions demonstrate the RA's commitment to presenting a wide spectrum of art history and practice.
Access, Tickets, and Financial Context
Eight sentences detailing the other exhibitions: "Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo," running from March 21 to June 29, 2025, provides a rare opportunity to view the sophisticated, often dramatic graphic work of the famous French novelist. This collection of drawings demonstrates Victor Hugo’s mastery of ink and experimental techniques, revealing an artistic dimension that complements his epic literary output. Following the summer, the Royal Academy of Arts Winter Programme will pivot to contemporary American art with the significant exhibition "Kerry James Marshall: The Histories." Scheduled from September 20, 2025, to January 18, 2026, Marshall’s show is expected to be a major critical success, focusing on his complex, large-scale paintings that challenge historical artistic conventions. Marshall’s work is deeply embedded in the dialogue surrounding representation and the omission of Black figures within the Western art historical narrative. Additionally, the exhibition "A Story of South Asian Art: Mrinalini Mukherjee and Her Circle" is slated for a late autumn start on October 31, 2025, further diversifying the RA’s geographical focus. The varied programming across the 2025 calendar underscores the Royal Academy's mission to cover a vast spectrum of art history, from European masters to global contemporary voices. This ensures a compelling offering for all audiences throughout the late 2025 and early 2026 Winter Programme.
The Royal Academy of Arts is located at Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD. Due to the popularity of these world-class shows, advance online ticket booking is highly recommended; standard adult entry typically ranges from £17 to £27. The RA relies on these ticket sales for its financial health, particularly as 2024 visitor numbers were still recovering from pre-pandemic levels of $\text{1.25}$ million annually.
- Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD
- Closest Tube: Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.
- Admission Cost (Standard): Typically £17–£27 for major exhibitions.
The Royal Academy of Arts Winter Programme for 2025 presents an essential cultural agenda, offering compelling reasons for both locals and travelers to engage with diverse, challenging art, from Brazilian Modernism to the critical narratives of Kerry James Marshall.
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