The Dayton Art Institute is currently debuting the major traveling exhibition, “For America: Paintings from the National Academy of Design.”
This exhibition includes 100 paintings by 78 artists and follows the story of the National Academy, from the early 19th century into the 21st.
Since a portrait was one of the requirements for membership, the show features artwork by many of its iconic members alongside portraits of numerous artists.
Included in the show are works by some of the most recognizable names in American art, such as Winslow Homer, Maxfield Parrish, William Merritt Chase, N.C. and Andrew Wyeth, Richard Estes, Wayne Thiebaud, Peter Saul and many more.
For two centuries, the National Academy of Design has been one of the leading artistic voices in America and has set the standard for art in many artistic mediums.
The National Academy was founded from the failed attempt by art students Thomas Seir Cummings and Frederick Styles Agate to gain admission to the American Academy of Fine Art’s collection in 1825. After stating their displeasure to an American Academy director, the artists were censured by the organizations’ president, John Trumbull.
Not even two months later the scorned artists established the National Academy of the Arts of Design. During this time, design was the translation of the French word “dessin,” which meant drawing.
Choosing this for their name, the Academy expressed its desire for the organization to concentrate on the traditional fine arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, engraving and architecture.
Since it was founded, the National Academy has followed a simple goal: To promote the fine arts in America through exhibition and education. The founders believed that the practice of art, architecture and exhibition could grow outside of the aristocratic patronage system.
The exhibit features artists across two decades showing the ever-changing interpretation of art, from realism around the founding of the academy to contemporary minimalism featuring many modern social issues.
The installation demonstrates academicians’ concerns as well as visual art experimental trends and eras in art that would normally be relegated to separate movements in art history.
In 1877, a group of unhappy artists seceded from the National Academy due to its conservative nature.
They then proceeded to start the Society of American Artists, from which another group referred to as “The Ten” emerged. Some came full circle to have their work featured in this showcase, such as famous artist Robert Reid.
A portion of the exhibition presents a taste of American culture by bringing in artists across America from diverse cultures and towns. This change in art was a result of the 1900’s amendment in the academy’s constitution that allowed artists to enter without being elected by artists of the previous year.
This brings with it imagery of various geographical locations, lifestyles and social economic backgrounds, giving viewers a taste of American life across the ages.
Finishing off the exhibit is Postwar Realism. Many Europeans who moved to America after the war brought with them new techniques, skill levels and requirements of standard erupting in Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
This diversity in art continued to this day, with artists using a variety of techniques found throughout the world to express social commentaries and fight injustice.
Sponsors of this exhibition include Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts, DP&L Foundation, Jerry and Patty Tatar, Emerson Climate Technologies, Elizabeth Hardy and Rick Omlor.
“For America: Paintings from the National Academy of Design” will be available from Feb. 23, 2019 – June 2, 2019.
The Dayton Art Institute gallery hours:
Wednesday–Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Extended hours Thursday until 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, noon–5:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays & major holidays
James Novotny
Staff Writer