American Academy of the Fine Arts
Encyclopedia
The American Academy of the Fine Arts was an art institution founded in 1802 in New York City, the more progressive artists of which later splintered off to form the National Academy of Design
. The American Academy's mission was to encourage art appreciation of the classical style, and to that end it exhibited copies of classical works and encouraged artists to emulate the classical in their work. The mayor of New York city
at the time, Richard Varick
, and Gulian Verplanck, a New York politician, were some of the Academy's original organizers.
, a man reluctant to move on from the classical ideal of art and who was known as a tyrant in his attitude toward young painters. The Academy's conservatism and Trumbull's attitude eventually led to such a level of dissatisfaction amongst the younger painters that they formed a splinter group, and eventually abandoned the American Academy to found the National Academy of Design
in 1825. Although the American Academy stated that it lamented the loss of many of its finest young artists and vowed to continue its tradition, it was ultimately unable to attract enough of a following and terminated as a going concern in 1841. The National Academy, however, is still attracting artists as of May, 2010.
from Sir Thomas Lawrence
, widely considered at that time to be the most accomplished English portraitist of the age. Lawrence required 400 guineas for the project, and in order to be able to pay Lawrence's price, the Academy opened a subscription fund before finally taking delivery of the painting in 1822. More than one source claims, however, that Lawrence became a member of the American Academy of the Fine Arts in 1817, "an honour he repaid by painting and presenting to the Academy a portrait of their countryman Benjamin West." Ironically, it was the portrait's subject Benjamin West, second president of the Royal Academy
in London
, who bailed John Trumbull out of an English prison years earlier where Trumbull was held for treason. Trumbull was only released by Benjamin West becoming his surety.
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
. The American Academy's mission was to encourage art appreciation of the classical style, and to that end it exhibited copies of classical works and encouraged artists to emulate the classical in their work. The mayor of New York city
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the time, Richard Varick
Richard Varick
Richard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on 15 March 1753 at Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, and he died on 30 July 1831 at Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey....
, and Gulian Verplanck, a New York politician, were some of the Academy's original organizers.
History
The Academy's original name was the New York Academy of the Fine Arts. A conservative organization, the Academy was in 1817 led by John TrumbullJohn Trumbull
John Trumbull was an American artist during the period of the American Revolutionary War and was notable for his historical paintings...
, a man reluctant to move on from the classical ideal of art and who was known as a tyrant in his attitude toward young painters. The Academy's conservatism and Trumbull's attitude eventually led to such a level of dissatisfaction amongst the younger painters that they formed a splinter group, and eventually abandoned the American Academy to found the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
in 1825. Although the American Academy stated that it lamented the loss of many of its finest young artists and vowed to continue its tradition, it was ultimately unable to attract enough of a following and terminated as a going concern in 1841. The National Academy, however, is still attracting artists as of May, 2010.
The West commission
In 1818 the American Academy commissioned a portrait of Benjamin WestBenjamin West
Benjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...
from Sir Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence
Thomas Lawrence may refer to:*Sir Thomas Lawrence, British artist, President of Royal Academy*Thomas Lawrence , mayor of colonial Philadelphia*T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia"*Thomas Lawrence , U.S. politician...
, widely considered at that time to be the most accomplished English portraitist of the age. Lawrence required 400 guineas for the project, and in order to be able to pay Lawrence's price, the Academy opened a subscription fund before finally taking delivery of the painting in 1822. More than one source claims, however, that Lawrence became a member of the American Academy of the Fine Arts in 1817, "an honour he repaid by painting and presenting to the Academy a portrait of their countryman Benjamin West." Ironically, it was the portrait's subject Benjamin West, second president of the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, who bailed John Trumbull out of an English prison years earlier where Trumbull was held for treason. Trumbull was only released by Benjamin West becoming his surety.
Further reading
- Cowdrey, Mary Bartlett, American Academy of Fine Arts and American Art-Union, 1816 - 1852: With a history of the American Academy, New York Historical Society, 1953.
- Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, Examination of Col. Trumbull's address, in opposition to the projected union of the American Academy of Fine Arts, and the National Academy of Design / by Samuel F.B. Morse, president of the National Academy; made at the request of the Council, Includes the "Address of Col. Trumbull", p. [17]-20, American Academy of the Fine Arts/National Academy of Design New York, Clayton & Van Norden, printers, 1833.
- Papers of the American Academy of the Fine Arts : acts of incorporation, by laws, etc., minutes of meetings (1802–1817, 1817–1830, 1830–1839), secretary's book, American Academy of the Fine Arts, New York Historical Society, 1951.
- Verplanck, Gulian Crommelin, American Academy of the Fine Arts, Address delivered before the American Academy of Fine Arts, Wiley, 1824. Google book. ISBN 978-1-144-30684-5
See also
- National Academy of DesignNational Academy of DesignThe National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
- Thomas LawrenceThomas LawrenceThomas Lawrence may refer to:*Sir Thomas Lawrence, British artist, President of Royal Academy*Thomas Lawrence , mayor of colonial Philadelphia*T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia"*Thomas Lawrence , U.S. politician...
- Samuel Morse
- John TrumbullJohn TrumbullJohn Trumbull was an American artist during the period of the American Revolutionary War and was notable for his historical paintings...
- Richard VarickRichard VarickRichard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on 15 March 1753 at Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, and he died on 30 July 1831 at Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey....
- Gulian Verplanck
- Benjamin WestBenjamin WestBenjamin West, RA was an Anglo-American painter of historical scenes around and after the time of the American War of Independence...