Lesson 4

JOSHUA REYNOLDS. THE ROYAL ACADEMY

Joshua Reynolds is another outstanding representative of XVII century.

His father was a headmaster of the grammar school so he gave his son a very good education. Reynolds had an opportunity to study in Italy and soon he became a brilliant portrait painter of his time.

Reynolds was the first president of the Royal Academy.

He was the principal painter of the King. One of his best creations is «Miss Siddons as the Tragic Muse», depicting the first lady of the British stage.

Sir Joshua Reynolds was the first president for 24 years and created in the Academy a body of highly skilled professional artists.

The Royal Academy

There is a house of great beauty and colour in London. This is Burlington House. Since 1869 it has been the Royal Academy of Arts.

In 1771 the Academy established its headquarters at Somerset House and remained there until 1837 when it moved to the east wing of the National Gallery.

The prime purpose of the Academy is teaching of the art to the most talented students. About 100 students attend the Academy school.

Since 1768 about 7000 artists and architects have been trained free of charge in the school of painting, sculpture and architecture. The students study the main «classic disciplines».

Several students in recent years have major international awards.

The summer exhibition has been held since 1769. It is the largest annual open art show in the world. About 10000 works are judged by the Royal academicians.

Topical vocabulary

outstanding - выдающийся; representative - представитель;

a headmaster - директор;

portrait painter - портретный; principal - основной;

creation - создание;

to depict - изображать;

The Royal Academy - Королевская академия; headquarter - штаб;

classic discipline - классическая дисциплина; an international award - международная награда; an annual art show — ежегодная художественная выставка.

Answer the questions:

1. Did Joshua Reynolds became a brilliant portrait painter of his time?

2. Did Reynolds have an opportunity to study in Italy?

3. Was Joshua Reynolds the first president of the Royal Academy?

4. Was he the principal painter of the King?

5. Since what time has Burlington House been the home for the Royal Academy of Arts?

6. Who was the first president of the Academy?

7. How often does the Academy organize the exhibitions?

8. What exhibition is the largest annual open show in the world?

9. How long does the summer exhibition stay open?

True or false?

1. The Royal Academy of art was formed in 1869.

2. King George HI was the first president of the Academy.

3. In 1837 the Academy moved to the National Gallery.

4. The prime purpose of the Academy is teaching the most talented students.

5. About 7000 artists and architects have been trained in the Academy.

6. Every year two exhibitions are organized by the Academy.

Lesson 5 thomas gainsborough

Thomas Gainsborough is the symbol of Romanticism in painting of the XVIII century.

He was also the first creator of the English school of landscape painting. Besides he was one of the greatest portraitists of his time.

Thomas was born in a family of a prosperous cloth merchant and got an excellent education.

Thomas Gainsborough was one of the best portraitists of his time, he considered himself to be a landscape painter.

But it was difficult to sell landscapes in England in the XVIII century. Landscapes became modem only at the end of the XVIII century.

And that’s why Gainsborough tried to combine people and nature on some of his portraits, especially on young women’s portraits.

Gainsborough’s works differed greatly from the works of Reynolds and William Hogarth. His portraits were simple and full of charm. There were not historical emblems and complicated compositions on his portraits.

Contrary to Reynolds Gainsborough did not value historical paintings. All his life he expressed 1ove to nature in his paintings.

Topical vocabulary

Romanticism - романтизм;

creator - создать;

landscape painting - живопись пейзажей;

portrait - портрет;

complicated compositions - сложные композиции;

an emblem - эмблема;

to value - ценить.

Answer the questions:

1. Who was also the first creator of the English school of landscape painting?

2. Was Thomas Gainsborough one of the greatest portraitists of his time?

3. In what family was he born?

4. What kind of education did he get?

5. Did he consider himself to be a landscape painter?

6. Was it very difficult to sell landscapes in England in the XIII^th century?

7. When did landscapes become modem?

8. What did Gainsborough try to combine people in his portraits?

9. Why did Gainsborough’s works differ from the works of Reynolds and William Hogarth?

10. Were there any historical emblems and complicated compositions on his portraits?

11. What did Gainsborough try to express in his paintings?

12. Is Thomas Gainsborough the symbol of Romanticism in painting of the XIII^th century?