Flaming June Returns to the Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts (RA) is thrilled to welcome back Frederic Leighton's masterpiece, Flaming June, on loan from the Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico. This iconic painting will be displayed alongside works from the RA Collection, exploring the relationship between painting and sculpture.

Flaming June, considered Leighton's magnum opus, was first exhibited at the RA's Summer Exhibition in 1895. The painting depicts a classically inspired female figure draped in flowing red robes, basking in the warm sunlight of an Italian summer.

The loan of Flaming June coincides with the Museo de Arte de Ponce's ongoing closure for repairs following damage caused by earthquakes in January 2020. This exceptional loan provides an opportunity to showcase this renowned work to a wider audience and strengthen global cultural connections.

"We are delighted to be welcoming Flaming June back to the Royal Academy of Arts," remarked Rebecca Lyons, Director of Collections and Learning at the RA. "In dialogue with our own permanent collections, this beautiful and compelling work enables us to explore ideas of artistic and creative inspiration while also creating global connections across collections."

Rubi Rodríguez, Deputy Director of the Museo de Arte de Ponce, expressed his gratitude for the collaboration: "The devastating earthquakes of January 2020 on the south coast of Puerto Rico gave the Museo de Arte de Ponce the opportunity to travel its collection while its main galleries are closed for repair. We are thrilled to be lending Frederic Leighton's Flaming June, one of the most iconic paintings of British art, to the Royal Academy of Arts where it was first exhibited in 1895."

The exhibition of Flaming June at the RA offers a unique opportunity to revisit this celebrated work and delve into the artistic influences and creative forces that shaped Leighton's masterpiece. Visitors can also explore the interplay between painting and sculpture through the juxtaposition of Flaming June with Michelangelo's Taddei Tondo, the only carving by Michelangelo in the UK.

The loan of Flaming June underscores the enduring legacy of artistic exchange and the power of art to transcend borders and cultures. It also serves as a testament to the resilience of the Museo de Arte de Ponce in the face of adversity and its commitment to sharing its artistic treasures with the world.