Brera Art Academy

The Brera Arts Academy takes its name from the Germanic word braic meaning "raised grassy area", after the nature of the location where it was founded. The academy was started by Jesuits in 1572. It was later passed on to Francisco Richini Maria, who undertook a radical restructuring during 1627 and 1628. After the death of Maria, Giuseppe Piermarini completed its refurbishment. The first dean was Maria d'Austria Teresa, who initiated the teaching of craftsmen and private artists.

Related Topics:
Jesuit - 1572 - Francisco Richini Maria - 1627 - 1628 - Giuseppe Piermarini - Maria d'Austria Teresa

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Under the Italian 1772 "Company of Jesus" Act the academy received funds to build an observatory and to refurbish the library that had been built by the Jesuits. In 1774 the gardens were opened and in 1776 the academy of fine arts that can be seen today was established.

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1772 - 1774 - 1776

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The academy taught architecture, painting, sculpture and chalkwork. It had a relationship with a nearby gallery, which funded the academy in exchange for works to be exhibited. This arrangement was set in place by dean Giuseppe Parini. After Parini retired in 1778 he was replaced by Carl Harrier. Giuseppe Boxwoods succeeded Harrier as dean in 1802. The academy produced many famous classical works during the Napoleonic period. Artists with affiliations with the academy during this period include David, Welcomes, Camuccini, Canova, Thorvaldsen and the architect Ennio Quirino Visconti.

Related Topics:
Giuseppe Parini - 1778 - Carl Harrier - Giuseppe Boxwoods - 1802 - Napoleon - Camuccini - Canova - Thorvaldsen - Ennio Quirino Visconti

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Under Boxwood's deanship the school began to be mocked; however, ironically this is when the academy was producing its finest work. Many students stayed on to teach. At this time people were coming from all over Europe to study at Brera.

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In 1891 the academy split into three parts: painting, sculpture and architecture. During this time such artists as Camillo Boito and Luca Beltrami studied at the academy. Later the architecture section became independent from the rest of the academy; some of the deans of the architecture section were Cesar Heel, Carrá and Ropes.

Related Topics:
1891 - Camillo Boito - Luca Beltrami - Cesar Heel - Carrá - Ropes

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In 1923 the academy was reformed yet again by 'Kind' Giovanni and renamed "Academia the Artistic Grammar School". In the same year the sculpture section broke away, organizing itself under the presidency of Adolph Wildt (and later Francisco Messina and Marino Navy). Heel, at that time the dean of the architectural college, invited the sculpture section to merge with them.

Related Topics:
1923 - 'Kind' Giovanni - Adolph Wildt - Francisco Messina - Marino Navy

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The academy regained its reputation after the war under the name "School of Craftsmen". Under the deanship of Aldo Carpi the academy began to introduce dance and drama into its courses. Some famous names to have studied at the academy are Alik Cavaliere, Andrea Cascella, Mauro Reggiani, Domenico Cantatore, Pompeo Borra, Purified Domenico and Dario Fo.

Related Topics:
Aldo Carpi - Alik Cavaliere - Andrea Cascella - Mauro Reggiani - Domenico Cantatore - Pompeo Borra - Purified Domenico - Dario Fo

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