The Royal Academy of Arts
A scholarly exploration into the history, mission, and profound impact of Britain's premier artist-led institution.
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Overview
An Independent Artistic Citadel
The Royal Academy of Arts (RA), established in 1768, stands as a distinguished art institution located in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London. Its unique status stems from its independence, being privately funded and governed by a collective of eminent artists and architects. The fundamental purpose of the RA is to foster the creation, appreciation, and understanding of the fine arts through a diverse array of exhibitions, educational initiatives, and intellectual discourse.
A Historic London Landmark
Situated in the heart of London, the Royal Academy has been a cultural cornerstone for over two and a half centuries. Its current home at Burlington House, occupied since 1868, places it within a vibrant artistic and academic quarter. The institution's enduring presence in the city underscores its continuous contribution to the British and international art scene, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, with 709,961 recorded in 2023.[1]
Mission and Vision
The RA's mission, articulated at its founding, was to "establish a school or academy of design for the use of students in the arts" complemented by an annual exhibition.[6] This dual focus on education and public engagement has remained central to its identity. By being led by artists for artists, the Academy maintains a direct connection to the creative process, ensuring its programs resonate with both practitioners and the public.
Genesis
Royal Patronage and Foundation
The genesis of the Royal Academy can be traced back to earlier efforts in 1755 by members of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, notably sculptor Henry Cheere, to establish an autonomous art academy.[2] Although Cheere's initial attempt did not succeed, the foundational 'Instrument' that eventually established the RA was remarkably similar to his earlier draft.[3] Architect Sir William Chambers leveraged his influence with King George III to secure royal patronage and financial backing.[5] The Royal Academy of Arts was formally founded by King George III on December 10, 1768.[6]
Founding Members and Early Leadership
The founding instrument named 34 initial members, with provisions for a total of 40. Among these distinguished individuals were the renowned painter Joshua Reynolds, who became the Academy's first president,[7] and Francis Milner Newton, elected as the first secretary.[8] Notable artists like Thomas Gainsborough and Angelica Kauffman were also among the founders.[10] William Hoare and Johann Zoffany were added to this esteemed list by the King in 1769.[10]
Evolution of Location
The Royal Academy's physical home evolved over its early decades. It began in modest quarters in Pall Mall, then moved to temporary accommodation in Old Somerset House in 1771 for its library and schools.[11] By 1780, it was housed in purpose-built apartments within the new Somerset House, designed by William Chambers himself.[11] In 1837, the Academy relocated to the east wing of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.[12] Finally, in 1868, a century after its founding, the RA moved to its current and permanent location at Burlington House, Piccadilly.[13]>
250th Anniversary Refurbishment
In 2018, coinciding with its 250th anniversary, the Royal Academy unveiled the results of a significant refurbishment project. Initiated in 2008 with David Chipperfield Architects, and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the ยฃ56 million development included new galleries, a lecture theatre, a public project space for students, and a connecting bridge between the Burlington House and Burlington Gardens sites.[17]>[18] As part of this extensive renovation, 10,000 works from the RA's collection were digitized and made accessible online.[17]
Engage
Charitable Status and Funding
The Royal Academy operates as a charity, receiving no direct funding from the State or the Crown.[19] Its premises at Burlington House are owned by the UK government and provided to the Academy under a 999-year peppercorn rent leasehold.[20] A significant portion of its revenue is generated through hosting a dynamic program of temporary loan exhibitions, which are comparable in scope and quality to those found in other leading art galleries globally.[21]>
Exhibitions and Public Discourse
Under the direction of figures like former exhibitions secretary Sir Norman Rosenthal, the Academy has presented ambitious contemporary art exhibitions. A notable example is the 1997 "Sensation" exhibition, which showcased works by Young British Artists from Charles Saatchi's collection. This exhibition sparked controversy, particularly due to Marcus Harvey's portrait of Myra Hindley, which was vandalized while on display.[22] More recently, the 2024 exhibition "Entangled Pasts, 1768-now" aimed to explore the connections between art associated with the Royal Academy and Britain's colonial histories, though it was noted for its cautious approach.[25]>[26]
The Summer Exhibition
A cornerstone of the RA's public engagement is the annual Summer Exhibition. Initiated in 1769, it holds the distinction of being the world's oldest and largest open-submission art exhibition, a highlight of London's Social Season. Works across various media, including painting, sculpture, film, architecture, photography, and printmaking, are selected and hung by the Royal Academicians themselves. The exhibition has featured prominent artists such as Tracey Emin, who later became a Royal Academician, noting the Academy's increasing openness.[27]>
Literary Collaborations
The Royal Academy extends its cultural reach through literary collaborations, notably with Pin Drop Studio. These events feature well-known authors, actors, and thinkers reading short stories chosen in response to the main exhibition program. Past guests have included Graham Swift, Sebastian Faulks, and Dame Eileen Atkins.[29] The RA and Pin Drop Short Story Award is an annual open-submission writing prize, with winning stories read by figures such as Stephen Fry and Dame Penelope Wilton.[30]>
Schools
Britain's Oldest Art School
The Royal Academy Schools represent the oldest art school in Britain, an integral component of the Royal Academy of Arts since its inception in 1768. A defining principle of the RA Schools is its commitment to providing a three-year postgraduate program entirely free of charge to all accepted applicants.[35] This commitment ensures accessibility and supports emerging artistic talent without financial barriers.
Curriculum and Influences
The Schools' program of formal training was modeled after the French Acadรฉmie de peinture et de sculpture, founded by Louis XIV. Its pedagogical approach was significantly shaped by the precepts laid down by Sir Joshua Reynolds in his fifteen *Discourses*, delivered to pupils between 1769 and 1790. Reynolds emphasized the importance of copying Old Masters, drawing from antique casts, and working with life models to cultivate artists capable of creating works of high moral and artistic merit. Professorial chairs were established in Chemistry, Anatomy, Ancient History, and Ancient Literature, with Samuel Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith initially holding the latter two.[36]>
Notable Alumni and Inclusivity
Since its founding, the Schools have educated a remarkable roster of artists. In its first year, 77 students enrolled, and by 1830, over 1,500 students had passed through its doors, including luminaries such as J. M. W. Turner, William Blake, John Soane, John Constable, and Thomas Lawrence.[38] A significant milestone in the Schools' history was the enrollment of Laura Herford in 1860, marking the first woman to be accepted as a student.[39] More recently, Tracey Emin and Fiona Rae were appointed as the first women Professors of Drawing and Painting, respectively, in 2011 and 2016, further demonstrating the Academy's evolving commitment to inclusivity.[44]>[45]>[47]
Collect
The Diploma Works Tradition
The Royal Academy's collection began with a self-portrait gifted by its first president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. This tradition was continued by other founding members and, crucially, by the practice of requiring each newly elected Royal Academician to donate a "Diploma Work" representative of their artistic output. This ongoing tradition has resulted in a rich collection of approximately a thousand paintings and a thousand sculptures, illustrating the evolution of British art.[48]>
Photographic and Archival Holdings
Beyond paintings and sculptures, the Academy's collection includes significant holdings of drawings and sketchbooks by British artists from the mid-18th century onwards, such as George Romney and Dame Laura Knight.[48] The photographic collection is equally notable, featuring early portraits by William Lake Price from the 1850s, works by David Wilkie Wynfield, and Eadweard Muybridge's seminal *Animal Locomotion* series (1872โ85).[49]>
Architectural Artistry
The very fabric of the Royal Academy's building is adorned with significant artworks. The entrance hall features wall and ceiling paintings by Benjamin West and Angelica Kauffman, originally from the Somerset House building. West's roundel, *The Graces Unveiling Nature* (c. 1779), is centrally placed, surrounded by panels depicting the elements. Kauffman's circular paintings, *Composition* and *Painting or Colour* and *Genius or Invention*, grace the ends of the hall.[50]>[51]>[52]
Michelangelo's *Taddei Tondo*
The most treasured possession within the Academy's collection is Michelangelo's *Taddei Tondo*. This exquisite marble sculpture, carved in Florence between 1504 and 1506, was bequeathed to the Academy by Sir George Beaumont. It is the only marble sculpture by Michelangelo in the United Kingdom and depicts the Virgin Mary and child with the infant St John the Baptist. It is typically displayed in the Collection Gallery, which opened in May 2018.[53]>
War Memorials
Within the entrance portico of the Royal Academy, two poignant war memorials stand as tributes. One commemorates the students of the Royal Academy Schools who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I.[54] The second memorial honors the 2,003 men of the Artists Rifles who lost their lives in the same conflict, with an additional plaque dedicated to those who perished in World War II.[55]>
Leaders
Royal Academicians: The Governing Body
The Royal Academy is governed by its Royal Academicians (RAs), a body comprising up to 80 practicing artists. These individuals are elected by ballot of the General Assembly of the Royal Academy. The original 1768 Instrument of Foundation limited total membership to 40 artists. Initially, engravers were excluded, but the category of Associate-Engraver was created in 1769, limited to six, who could not become full academicians.[56] In 1853, membership was expanded to 42 and opened to engravers, reflecting an evolving understanding of artistic practice.
Pioneering Women in Leadership
The Academy has made strides in inclusivity over its history. In 1922, 154 years after its founding, Annie Swynnerton became the first woman Associate of the Royal Academy.[57] More recently, Rebecca Salter was elected the first female President of the Royal Academy on December 10, 2019, following the retirement of Sir Christopher Le Brun.[31]>[32] This marked a significant moment in the institution's long history, highlighting its commitment to diverse leadership.
Executive Leadership
In addition to the artist-led governance, the Royal Academy also has executive leadership. In September 2007, Sir Charles Saumarez Smith was appointed as the Secretary and Chief Executive, a newly created position.[33] He stepped down at the end of 2018, and Axel Rรผger, formerly director of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, assumed the role in June 2019.[34] The current CEO is Simon Wallis.
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References
References
- Gordon Sutton, Artisan or Artist?: A History of the Teaching of Art and Crafts in English Schools (London: Pergamon Press, 2014) p.297
- John Harris, Sir William Chambers Knight of the Polar Star, Chapter 11: The Royal Academy, 1970, A. Zwemmer Ltd
- RA. Entangled Pasts: Large Print Guide (Main Galleries). London: RA, 2024, p. 7.
- Reynolds, Simon. "Sims, Charles Henry (1873รขยย1928)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004.
- The Magic of a Line: Drawings by Dame Laura Knight, R.A., Library Print Room, Royal Academy of Arts, 2008
- Hutchison, Sidney."The History of the Royal Academy, 1768รขยย1968" Taplinger Publishing Company, 1968
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