The Representation of Growing Economic Power within the Classical Era
In the eighteenth century, artists sought to elevate their social standing and professionalize their craft. Aspiring artists were traditionally seen as craftsmen with low social standing who pursued comprehensive education, classical history, and literature to gain the respect of potential patrons. Many of them came from middle-class backgrounds, being sons of tradesmen or professionals. Most artists trained through apprenticeships, paying established artists to learn techniques like preparing paints and canvases. Portraiture was the most profitable genre, where artists catered to clients who wanted personal likenesses, but some other popular genres were conversation pieces, animal portraits, landscapes and more. Artists would form clubs and societies to improve their status and showcase their work better. Many artists were part of the society of artists, but the dissatisfaction with the society’s structure led to the founding of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768, w...
