Think like an artist: in 18th century Britain

What was it like to be an artist in Britain during the 18th century? The century saw the emergence of a British school of painting and the Royal Academy opened its doors in 1768 with Sir Joshua Reynolds as President. The R.A. provided life drawing classes for male artists and an opportunity to exhibit their work in annual exhibitions. How did artists respond to these changes? Patrons continued to expect a flattering portrait, but artists increasingly sought to bring something of themselves to their work. For Reynolds, this was a new approach to classicism inspired by the Grand Tour, whilst Gainsborough sought to pursue his passion for landscape. William Hogarth brought domestic genre painting to a wide audience through the medium of printing. By the 1780s, British male painters were among the wealthiest men in the country. But what did the century bring for female artists?
This one-day course is part of a series, looking at art in Britain in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Includes gallery visit.