he Royal Academy's popular Summer Exhibition has been an annual event since 1769. Today, around a thousand works are chosen each year from over 12,000 entries. The exhibition, which includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, architectural designs and models, is the largest open-submission show in the UK. First published in the 1870s, the Summer Exhibition Illustrated presents the highlights of each year s selection and is a fascinating barometer of changing artistic tastes. Spectacular installation shots of the galleries and numerous reproductions of the works on display complement Richard Davey s absorbing introduction to this year's hang, led by Eileen Cooper RA.