The Royal Academy of Arts after Johann Zoffany
Richard Earlom (London 1743 - London 1822)
Category
Art / Prints
Date
2 Aug 1773
Materials
paper and wood
Measurements
666 x 862 mm
Place of origin
Fleet Street
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1247526
Summary
A mezzotint engraved by Richard Earlom of a painting by J Zoffany RA
Full description
The original painting was first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1772, when it was purchased from the artist by George III. The image depicts all but three of the foremost Academicians, as well as the Cantonese sculptor Tan-Che-Qua. and the Academy's first Professor of Anatomy, William Hunter. Zoffany emphasises the importance of life drawing with two male models seated on the dais to the right. The older man has his right hand being guided in a rope sling, by the Academician, George Michael Moser. A single oil lamp, designed to accentuate the shadows of the life models, illuminates the room. Two portraits hanging on the wall depict the only two female academicians, Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser. Sir Joshua Reynolds is dressed in black with his silver ear trumpet. Benjamin West gracefully leans on the drawing desk and in the bottom left hand corner is Zoffany himself. An oil painting by J Zoffany is part of the Polesden Lacey collection. The original painting is part of the Royal Collection.
Provenance
Acquisition method unknown, probably original to house
Makers and roles
Richard Earlom (London 1743 - London 1822), engraver (printmaker) Johann Zoffany, RA (Frankfurt am Main 1733 - Kew 1810), original artist Robert Sayer (1725-1794), engraver and publisher