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THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS: HISTORY AND COLLECTIONS by Robin Simon (Yale £75)

THE Royal Academy in London’s Piccadilly, founded by King George III in 1768, celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. Housing some of the most acclaimed works of art anywhere, the RA is known and loved the world over. To mark its birthday, Professor Robin Simon and curator MaryAnne Stevens have produced this sumptuous book featuring the Academy’s best works, such as J.W. Waterhouse’s A Mermaid, above, and their history.