Study for Exhibition Room, Somerset House, from Microcosm of London c. 1808

Augustus Charles Pugin made this pen and ink drawing, Study for Exhibition Room, Somerset House, as part of the Microcosm of London series. Somerset House held significant importance as the home of the Royal Academy. This sketch offers us a glimpse into the world of art institutions in 19th century London. We can see how the layout of the room and the arrangement of artworks would influence the viewer's experience. Note the sheer number of paintings crammed into the exhibition room. The Royal Academy aimed to promote British art but also to exert control over artistic taste and production. This tension is evident in the sketch, as the institution balances accessibility with the desire to shape artistic standards. The social conditions of the time—the rise of a middle class with increasing access to art and the art world, are also significant. These forces would shape artistic production. Further research into exhibition catalogs, visitor accounts, and institutional records will reveal more about the dynamics of the Royal Academy and its role in shaping the art world of its time.