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illustrious predecessors were established marts for manufactures； and
colleges for science； but for the arts of elegance； those arts by which
manufactures are embellished and science is refined； to found an academy
was reserved for your Majesty。
Had such patronage been without effect； there had been reason to
believe that nature had； by some insurmountable impediment； obstructed
our proficiency； but the annual improvement of the exhibitions which your
Majesty has been pleased to encourage shows that only encouragement
had been wanting。
To give advice to those who are contending for royal liberality has
been for some years the duty of my station in the Academy； and these
Discourses hope for your Majesty's acceptance as well… intended
endeavours to incite that emulation which your notice has kindled； and
direct those studies which your bounty has rewarded。
May it please your Majesty； Your Majesty's Most dutiful servant； And
most faithful subject； JOSHUA REYNOLDS。
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE
ROYAL ACADEMY。
Gentlemen；That you have ordered the publication of this Discourse
is not only very flattering to me； as it implies your approbation of the
method of study which I have recommended； but likewise； as this method
receives from that act such an additional weight and authority as demands
from the students that deference and respect； which can be due only to the
united sense of so considerable a body of artists。
I am； With the greatest esteem and respect； GENTLEMEN； Your most
humble And obedient servant； JOSHUA REYNOLDS
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
A DISCOURSE I
Delivered at the Opening of the Royal Academy； January 2nd；
1769； by the President
Gentlemen；An academy in which the polite arts may be regularly
cultivated is at last opened among us by royal munificence。 This must
appear an event in the highest degree interesting； not only to the artists；
but to the whole nation。
It is indeed difficult to give any other reason why an Empire like that
of Britain should so long have wanted an ornament so suitable to its
greatness than that slow progression of things which naturally makes
elegance and refinement the last effect of opulence and power。
An institution like this has often been recommended upon
considerations merely mercantile。 But an academy founded upon such
principles can never effect even its own narrow purposes。 If it has an
origin no higher； no taste can ever be formed in it which can be useful
even in manufactures； but if the higher arts of design flourish； these
inferior ends will be answered of course。
We are happy in having a prince who has conceived the design of such
an institution； according to its true dignity； and promotes the arts； as the
head of a great； a learned； a polite； and a commercial nation； and I can
now congratulate you； gentlemen； on the accomplishment of your long and
ardent wishes。
The numberless and ineffectual consultations that I have had with
many in this assembly； to form plans and concert schemes for an academy；
afford a sufficient proof of the impossibility of succeeding but by the
influence of Majesty。 But there have； perhaps； been times when even the
influence of Majesty would have been ineffectual； and it is pleasing to
reflect that we are thus embodied； when every circumstance seems to
concur from which honour and prosperity can probably arise。
There are at this time a greater number of excellent artists than were
ever known before at one period in this nation； there is a general desire
among our nobility to be distinguished as lovers and judges of the arts；
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SEVEN DISCOURSES ON ART
there is a greater superfluity of wealth among the people to reward the
professors； and； above all； we are patronised by a monarch； who； knowing
the value of science and of elegance； thinks every art worthy of his notice
that tends to soften and humanise the mind。
After so much has been done by his Majesty； it will be wholly our fault
if our progress is not in some degree correspondent to the wisdom and；
generosity of the institution； let us show our gratitude in our diligence； that；
though our merit may not answer his expectations； yet； at least； our
industry may deserve his protection。
But whatever may be our proportion of success； of this we may be sure；
that the present institution will at least contribute to advance our
knowledge of the arts； and bring us nearer to that ideal excellence which it
is the lot of genius always to contemplate and never to attain。
The principal advantage of an academy is； that； besides furnishing able
men to direct the student； it will be a repository for the great examples of
the art。 These are the materials on which genius is to work； and without
which the strongest intellect may be fruitlessly or deviously employed。
By studying these authentic models； that idea of excellence which is the
result of the accumulated experience of past ages may be at once acquired；
and the tardy and obstructed progress of our predecessors may teach us a
shorter and easier way。 The student receives at one glance the principles
which many artists have spent their whole lives in ascertaining； and；
satisfied with their effect； is spared the painful investigation by which they
come to be known and fixed。 How many men of great natural abilities
have been lost to this nation for want of these advantages？ They never
had an opportunity of seeing those masterly efforts of genius which at
once kindle the whole soul； and force it into sudden and irresistible
approbation。
Raffaelle； it is true； had not the advantage of studying in an academy；
but all Rome； and the works