Royal Academy Exhibition of 1779

The Royal Academy Exhibition of 1779 was an art exhibition held in London. The eleventh annual Summer Exhibition of the British Royal Academy of Arts, it took place at rented rooms in Pall Mall between 24 April and 29 May 1779 featuring submissions by leading painters, sculptors and architects. It was the final exhibition before the Royal Academy moved to permanent headquarters at Somerset House. ^[1] Taking place amidst the background of the American War of Independence, it was held during the same year that France and Spain launched an unsuccessful attempt to invade England. The military preparations to defend against this are shown in two paintings Warley Camp and The Mock Attack by Loutherbourg.^[2]

The President of the Royal Academy Joshua Reynolds was frequently the dominant exhibitor at the time. In 1779 he displayed eleven paintings, although his main submission was his Nativity of Christ.^[3] The painting was acquired by the Duke of Rutland but was later destroyed in a fire at Belvoir Castle in 1816. It met a mixed reception from critics at the exhibition. The painting was originally produced as a design for a stained glass window at the chapel of New College, Oxford. Reynolds also displayed paintings intended as accompanying designs representing Faith, Hope and Charity.^[4] His perennial rival Thomas Gainsborough's portrait of the Duchess of Gloucester, drew critical praise.^[5]

The Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman, known for her Neoclassical style, submitted seven paintings which were widely praised .^[6] Benjamin West exhibited the history painting Alfred the Great Dividing His Loaf with a Pilgrim, which had been commissioned by John Boydell. ^[7]

Amongst the other works on display was Portraits in the Characters of the Muses in the Temple of Apollo by Richard Samuel, depicting leading female figures associated with the Bluestocking movement. ^[8] The Labourers by George Stubbs, which combined landscape and genre painting, was widely acclaimed.^[9]