The Diploma collection

The Society's collection of watercolour paintings, the Diploma Collection, was founded following a proposal made in 1860, that each newly elected Member present a picture on his election to the Society.

This internationally important collection now numbers some 900 items, mostly individual watercolours, although the RWS has also accumulated works in other media including oil paintings as well as etchings, engravings and sculpture.

Represented in the collection are such diverse artists as John Varley, David Cox, Peter De Wint, Samuel Palmer, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Sir Laurence Alma Tadema, John Singer Sargent, Joseph Southall, Dame Laura Knight, David Jones, Stanley Roy Badmin, Patrick Procktor, Peter Blake, Leslie Worth and Ken Howard. Non-Members represented include George Romney and David Roberts.