University of Hull first to host international drawing exhibition with Royal connections

The Royal Society of Painters (RP) opens its Revealing the Human exhibition tonight.

RP has previously awarded an annual prize for drawing supported by the then Prince of Wales as part of its annual exhibition. Although not awarded since His Majesty King Charles III’s accession to the throne, the RP has now relaunched the award as a prestigious event in its own right.

Renowned for portraits of some of the world’s most recognisable figures, RP’s new Drawing Prize brings a fresh perspective and celebrates a diversity of styles and subjects. The University gallery is honoured to be the first to showcase this new chapter for the RP Drawing Prize and His Majesty is known to be taking a keen interest in today’s opening.

John Bernasconi, Director of the University Art Collection, said: “This is a huge coup for the University. To be selected for the launch of the RP Drawing Prize reflects the growing reputation of our gallery as a national and international destination for the arts. We’re delighted and honoured to welcome this exhibition which builds on our commitment to ensuring world-class art is accessible to the community.”

Revealing the Human attracted over 2,000 entries from 14 countries across Europe, the US, Canada, Korea and China. The exhibition features 100 selected drawings. The winner of the £5,000 prize will be announced at the exhibition’s opening later today.

John said: “It’s been exceptionally difficult to judge, recognising the skill across a very broad range of styles and subjects. I’ve been impressed by the extremely high standard of many of the works on show. In a post-covid world artists have responded with deeply moving portraits showing vulnerability. The result is powerful, authentic and profoundly human.

“It’s been a great pleasure to work with Anthony Connolly, President of the RP, on this exciting project.”

Anthony Connolly, President of the RP said: “The Royal Society of Portrait Painters was established in 1891. Think of any of the great figurative painters of the 20thc and it’s probable that they were members of the Society; Alma Tadema, Dame Laura Knight, Everett Millais, William Orpen, John Singer Sargent, Pietro Annigoni, to name but a few. Tradition, however, only survives if it continues to blossom.

"This new venture sees the RP reaching out beyond its ‘comfort zone’. We are grateful to the University of Hull for welcoming us into its beautiful purpose-built galleries, alongside a very fine collection of British Art."

The final selection for the exhibition was made by Martin Clayton, Keeper of Prints and Drawings at The Royal Collection; Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design & Director of Drawing Projects UK; Anthony Connolly, President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters; and John Bernasconi Director, University of Hull Art Collection.

Revealing the Human is at the University of Hull Art Gallery, Brynmor Jones Library, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX. It is open daily 10am – 5pm, 3 October to 30 November 2025.

The RP Drawing Prize is one of eight prizes to be awarded to contributors to the exhibition. A fully illustrated catalogue for the exhibition is available.

Main image: Jamie Routley, Self Portrait at 42, Graphite, charcoal and gouache on panel.