The Royal Academy of Arts

Engraver Richard Earlom British
Publisher Robert Sayer British
August 2, 1773
Not on view
A number of famous members of London’s Royal Academy are seen here before two nude models in a life studio. Sir Joshua Reynolds stands in the center with his ear trumpet, Benjamin West is to the left, his left arm leaning on a long desk, and a visiting artist from China can be seen in the left background. The two female academicians, Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser, are represented in paintings on the wall at right, since it was regarded as unseemly for them to work from live male models. Zoffany—who created the painting on which this print is based—holds a palette in the lower left corner. Earlom’s mezzotint faithfully reproduces the painting, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1772 and subsequently sold to King George III.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Royal Academy of Arts
  • Engraver: Richard Earlom (British, London 1743–1822 London)
  • Artist: After Johan Joseph Zoffany (German, near Frankfurt 1733–1810 London)
  • Publisher: Robert Sayer (British, Sunderland 1725–1794 Bath)
  • Date: August 2, 1773
  • Medium: Mezzotint
  • Dimensions: 19 7/8 x 28 1/8 in. (50.5 x 71.4 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962
  • Object Number: 62.600.685
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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