The Antique School at Old Somerset House

This drawing is one of a pair by Edward Francis Burney which together provide a glimpse of daily life at the Royal Academy during the 18th century. Both portray RA students drawing casts of Classical and Renaissance sculptures in the Antique School. The students sit at benches absorbed in their work while their teacher, the figure wearing a blue coat, offers advice and corrections.

Skilful draughtsmanship was essential for aspiring artists at this time and students at the Academy spent up to three years drawing casts before they progressed to drawing live models. Most of the casts shown in the drawings are from ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, revered for their (somewhat contradictory) combination of naturalism and supposed ideal beauty.

According to an inscription on the back of the sheet, this drawing shows students at work in Old Somerset House, crammed with copies of statues like the Apollo Belvedere (centre left). In the right-hand corner of the room is Leonardo da Vinci's cartoon for 'The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne' (ca.1499-1500).