MEETING - Wednesday 21 April 2010
Eric Shanes: THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY
The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.
The Academy was founded by George III in 1768. The 34 founding Members were a group of prominent artists and architects including Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir William Chambers who were determined to achieve professional standing for British art and architecture. They also wanted to provide a venue for exhibitions that would be open to the public; and to establish a school of art through which their skills and knowledge could be passed to future generations of practitioners.
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Lecturer:
Those of you who attended the February meeting, will remember the inspirational lecture delivered by Eric Shanes. He has very kindly agreed at very short notice, to visit us again this month, as our scheduled lecturer, Oliver Everett, is stranded in the States as a result of the ban on flights
Eric Shanes is the author of The Genius of the Royal Academy, a short history of the Royal Academy, published in 1981 by John Murray in association with the Royal Academy
He is Chairman of the Turner Society,and author of ten best selling books on Turner, also books on Hockney, Dali, Warhol, Brancusi, the Impressionists in London and Pop Art.
He initiated and acted as Curator of the 'Turner: The Great Watercolours' exhibition held at the Royal Academy of Arts in London between December 2000 and February 2001 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Turner's death. 162,842 visitors attended the exhibition which lasted two-and-a-half months
Eric Shanes has lectured at the National, Tate, and Clore Galleries. He has also undertaken many American Tours.
Read more on his personal website .