The Rhythms of Summer | 1983 Royal Academy Original Exhibition Lithograph

This authentic 1983 exhibition poster is a brilliant collaboration between British Pop Art titan Allen Jones RA and the celebrated graphic designer Gordon House.

Commissioned for the 215th Summer Exhibition at Burlington House in Piccadilly, this lithograph features a central motif adapted from the celebrated work by Jones, Paso Doble. The title refers to the dramatic and fast-paced Spanish dance, a pulse that is clearly felt in the soaring, rhythmic lines of the bird in flight.

The summer of 1983 was a landmark year for the Academy, and these original lithographs were the visual ambassadors of that season. Unlike modern digital reprints, this 1983 edition possesses the specific ink depth and paper texture characterised by high-end museum press runs of the era. It is a rare, tactile connection to the London art scene of the early eighties.

Allen Jones is an icon of the British Pop movement, with works held in the Tate and MoMA. His signature use of bold, saturated colour and theatrical form is on full display here.

Gordon House was the creative force behind the visual identity of the Royal Academy in the 80s. He framed the work by Jones with classic serif typography, creating a window effect that remains a benchmark of exhibition design.

The bird against a sun-drenched golden yellow backdrop serves as a poetic metaphor for the open nature of the show, where any artist, regardless of fame, has the opportunity to see their work take flight on the gallery walls.

This is an authentic lithograph produced specifically for the exhibition at Burlington House, Piccadilly, which ran from 14 May to 28 August 1983.

The lower text preserves a moment in time, noting the Sunday morning concession rates of 11 am to 1 pm for those under 18.

Specifications & Presentation

This piece is presented in a bespoke slimline black frame, offering a crisp, contemporary edge that allows the primary yellows and sky blues of the artwork to resonate. It is a sophisticated, wall-ready acquisition for the serious collector of British Pop Art and institutional ephemera.

Official 1983 Royal Academy of Arts Exhibition Ephemera

Item: 215th Summer Exhibition Poster

Origin: Royal Academy of Arts, London (1983)

Artist: Allen Jones RA (Subject: Paso Doble)

Designer: Gordon House

Format: Original Exhibition Lithograph

Frame: Custom Slimline Black Timber / Gallery Glass

Dimensions: 78.7 x 61.6 cm (Lithograph)