Exhibition Room, Somerset House

Auguste Charles Pugin|Thomas Rowlandson|Rudolph Ackermann, London|John Hill

April 1, 1808 · Etching and aquatint; proof before letters · Drawings and Prints

Founded in 1768, London's Royal Academy mounted exhibitions every summer from 1769. Recent works by the academicians were given pride of place and supplemented by submissions by non-members. In 1780, the institution moved from cramped quarters on Piccadilly into custom built galleries in Somerset House on the Strand. The Great Room of these new galleries is shown here densely hung from floor to ceiling. Visitors were admitted for a shilling and flocked to inspect the art and enjoy the views of London society. This rare uncolored example of Pugin and Rowlandson's print devoted to the annual event was published in 1808.

Artist

Auguste Charles Pugin|Thomas Rowlandson|Rudolph Ackermann, London|John Hill

Date

April 1, 1808

Medium

Etching and aquatint; proof before letters

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1962