The Royal Academy of Arts 1773

Richard Earlom created this mezzotint titled ‘The Royal Academy of Arts’ some time around the late 18th century. The image provides a fascinating window into the institutional structure of the art world at that time. Here we see members of the Royal Academy gathered in what appears to be a life drawing class. The composition emphasizes the power dynamics inherent in the Academy, with its emphasis on classical training and the male gaze. The arrangement of figures around the nude models, all men, speaks volumes about the social and gender norms of the era. Understanding this image requires historical context. Consider the founding of the Royal Academy in 1768 and its role in shaping artistic taste and legitimizing certain styles and subjects. By studying the Academy’s records, exhibition catalogs, and the writings of its members, we gain insight into the social conditions that shaped artistic production. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on its social and institutional context, and it invites us to reflect on the public role of art then, and now.