The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-22
REFORM IN TIE BRITISH ROYAL
ACADEMY


WE commend to the Directors Of the Pennsylvania
Academy Of Fine Arts, and to all Others who in
teresed in art education, the following reference to
reforms in contemplation In progress in the
British Royal Academy. The London Atheneuns
says:-
The Royal Academy is about to supply one of the
deficiencies In its mode OF teaching, of afordlng par
tial opportunities to persons who study art. Sys-
tematic instruction the Academy either did not pre-
tend to furnish, or did not know how to give it,
Among artists, as among people In other professions
there are many whose minds slowly follow but never
originate changes A youth begins an artistic career
by practising drawing, and should proceed from the
scuptured model to the living one, and parenthet-
caly to say master the science OF perspective Mo-
derate facility in draughtmanshp attained, he should
learn how to paint T. e., to manage the brush and
pigments. Now, the Academy maintains two schools
that of Drawing, which comprises the Antique and
Life academies and the class of Perspective; and
the School Of Painting 3 These are distinct except
that could not enter the latter without passing
through the former. 1t has often happened that
those whose minds are torpid and whose love for
Art is nominal stick to studies only while they
inclosed by the walls OF the Academy, know nothing
beyond what they learn there, and when they go
home shake Off their profession as they take Off
their overcoats. These pass idly through the
Drawing School, and entering that of Painting, have
never taken brush in hand, and are ignorant OF the
ordering of a palette. 1t is fact that some draw
their whole lives long and die bad draughtsmen.
or course an active youth readily obtains extra
academical instruction in painting, and presents
himself for the painting school fully prepared. 1t
has recently occurred to the II. AS that to give
systematic instruction in the use of the brush weud
save vast amount of labor that is now misdreCted
and wasted, and spare US the disgrace of such dis
plays of incompetence as occasionally occur not
only In the schools but in the exhibitions. The
characteristics of school of art more likely to
be impaired by training OF this sort than by most
other means The academicians have, therefore,
offered year for u competent teacher-a salary
which think insufficient, as the person appointed
will, we presume, be obliged to devote all his time
to the work.
famous engraver and ardent chiaroscurist once
demanded of a r. A. now dead, why the Academy
did not teach chiaroscurO? The r. A. took the idea
as novelty, and admitted the desirableness of in
struction in that branch of art, yet added with
intended SATIRE But lpho'S TO teach iW In the en-
graver's spirit one might also ask, Why Is not some
body found to teach ''it?" Why is not rudmentary
knowledge OF composition systematically given to
Academy students? 1t is right to add, that the spirit
of the new movement is just and intelligent quite
other than that of certain AcademicaRs, who, look
ing at the Academy as a large and active "irm" of
which the Exhibition is the shop, cooly proposed to
disregard the obligations of the institution and give
up teaching altogether! There are some who shrk
their duties of acting as Visitors in the Life Schools
and, although residing in London and still in the
prime of lfe avoid all parts OF the Academy but the
exhibition rooms.
The Royal Academicians have also determined to
institute what may be called practical scholarship
for the benefit of the ADLER students, to endow the
posts for a limited period and employ the holders
who will be required to compete for their honors in
decorative works of the higher and pictorial order
the walls of public buildings. The authorities at
South Kensington have invited the Royal Academ-
clans to the walls Of part OF the buildings OF
the huseum for this purpose, and the invitation has
been, we understand, accepted. There are plenty
Of public buildings to occupy the students in ques
tion; and the walls of hospital wards especially
might II decorated, entertain patients weary in
mind and worn in body.