ACADEMICS

Georgio Vasari's Accademia del Disegno:
As guilds were becoming antiquated, academies were created as a place for artists to be trained. One of the first of these academies to appear is the Accademia del Disegno, which is constructed in Florence, Italy in 1562. In creating this academy, Vasari hoped to pass on the knowledge of the old masters of art and to continue the production of future art genius.

French Academy:
The French Academy of Painting and Sculpture is established in 1648 under the reign of Louis the XIV during the Age of Absolutism. Led by director, Charles Le Brun, the academy trains artists with a rigorous curriculum based on the classical style. The students participate in life drawing classes which are not permitted outside of the academy. Additionally, lectures are presented to teach the mathematically established principles of art. Later in 1666, André Félibien’s treatise, L’Idée de la Perfection de la Peinture, has a profound presence in the lectures, establishing history painting as the highest art form within the hierarchy of genres.

Links:

• French Adacamy
• Charles Le Brun
• Tradition of the Academy
• André Félibien, L = Idée de la perfection de la peinture
• Age of Absolutism

Images:

The Apotheosis of Hercules, Black chalk, pen with sepia ink, red chalk with white highlights on beige paper; Louvre Louis XIV