Like the English, the Americans of the colonial period had no conscious policy with regard to the arts. Common to all these traditions was a disdain of artistic embellishment in places of worship. By midcentury, however, Americans were more receptive to fashions in architecture, furnishings, dress, music, and dance originating in Europe. Objects of high fashion were acquired through import rather than through local manufacture, and it was not until the end of the century that the first academy of art made its appearance in the United States with the opening of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1791. For the most part American art students throughout the eighteenth century went abroad for their professional training, and some, such as Benjamin West, remained there because the patronage prospects were brighter.
Drawing is a kind of universal language, understood by all nations.
A man may often express his ideas, even to his own countrymen, more clearly with a lead pencil, or bit of chalk, than with his tongue. And many can understand a figure, that do not comprehend a description in words, though ever so properly chosen. All boys have an early inclination to this improvement, and begin to make figures of animals, ships, machines, etc. as soon as they can use a pen, but for want of a little instruction at that time generally are discouraged, and quite the pursuit. Drawing is no less useful to a mechanic than to a gentleman. The contents of this site, including all images and text, are for personal, educational, non-commercial use only.