The Making of an Artist: Learning about Architecture
5 August - 31 December 2020
The Dorfman Architecture Court, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
Mon–Sun: 10am–6pm
Free
Aspiring architects in the 18th-century RA Schools honed their craft by copying casts taken from classical buildings. This display brings those casts together, revealing another aspect of traditional artistic training.
To visit, please book a free ticket to our Collection Gallery, for access to all our free displays.
It was an architect, William Chambers, who delivered the 1768 petition to King George III asking him to support the foundation of an Academy for artists and architects. The newly formed RA Schools taught architecture until the 1950s, and just as aspiring artists were taught to look to classical statues for guidance, would-be architects were required to closely study classical architecture.
The RA Collection includes a large number of architectural casts that were acquired for this purpose. Purchased from 1770 to 1870, many of these casts going on display came from the collection of Sir Thomas Lawrence, the fourth president of the RA. The casts were made from moulds taken directly from the great architectural monuments of ancient Rome. In some cases they now include more detail than the buildings themselves, which have been damaged by weather, pollution, vandalism and overzealous 19th-century restorations.
Gallery
Cast of section of frieze with vase, griffin, and candelabrum, Late 18th century/early 19th century
Cast of a Corinthian pilaster capital with Pegasus volutes, late 18th century/early 19th century
Corinthian capital, ?19th century
Cast of fleuron from capital of middle standing column, Late 18th century/early 19th century
Cast of front panel of sarcophagus with griffins, Late 18th century/early 19th century
The Making of an Artist
The Making of an Artist encompasses three new displays of the RA Collection, exploring ideas about what makes great art and art training. In addition to Learning about Architecture, you'll find:
The Great Tradition
The Collection Gallery
Does great art begin with studying nature, or studying the great art of the past? Decide for yourself in this new gallery, bringing together highlights from the RA Collection.
Learning to Draw
The Vaults
The RA has always had an art school. This display illustrates how art has been taught here over the past 250 years and gives a glimpse of what happens now.
Donate to the RA
The RA is a charity, run by artists and funded by art-lovers. Your donation supports our future, to continue to create, debate and exhibit great works of art and to champion art and artists.
The RA Schools
The RA Schools is a school of contemporary art at the heart of the Royal Academy. Each year, up to 17 artists join our three-year postgraduate programme. Former students include Turner Prize nominee Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Eddie Peake, Catherine Story and Matthew Darbyshire.
Founded in 1768, the RA Schools remain free and independent to this day.