The Academie Royale assembled nearly all of the important French artists working at the time, maintained a virtual monopoly on teaching and exhibitions, enjoyed a priority in obtaining royal commissions, and deeply influenced the artistic landscape in France. Yet the institution remains little understood today: all commentary on it, during its existence and since its abolition, is based on prejudices, both favourable and critical, that have shaped the way the institution has been appraised. This book takes a different approach. Rather than judging the Academie Royale, Michel unravels existing critical discourse to consider the nuances and complexities of the academy's history, re-examining its goals, the shifting power dynamics both within the institution and in the larger political landscape, and its relationship with other French academies and guilds.
About the AuthorChristian Michel is professor of art history at the Universite de Lausanne.
Book InformationISBN 9781606065358
Author Christian MichelFormat Paperback
Page Count 424
Imprint Getty PublicationsPublisher Getty Trust Publications
Weight(grams) 1664g
Dimensions(mm) 264mm * 215mm * 27mm