AST AND ARTISTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2735, 15 August 1906, Page 71

AST AND ARTISTS.

HOW R.A.'S ARE EJECTED

— What Membership of tbe Academy Mean!

to Artists.

MeR aud women out of the ranks of artiste who read now aad again in tbe newspapers that some well-known painter has been made a member of tbe Rovai Academy possibly- thiuJt that the honour means nothing more than the right to use the letters R.A. and to exhibit pictures annually -at Burlington- Bouse. As a matter of fftct, the man who has the jrood fartnae to find himself ft Royal .Academician has much to be thankful foe. Every man in Britain is called an-esquke by his correspondents mesely as a matter of courtesy. The RJL., "however, is- aa esquire by right, and can insisi upon bis fellow creatures addressing, him in that way. An Academician, once elected, err, if he should happen to fall upon hard times and find himself in distressed circumstances, claim a pension from tbe Academy. This pension.- which has- been paid to several aged R.A/s, is a substantial one, sometimes running into as much as £400 a year. Should an R.A. die, leaving his wife aad children not sufficiently provided for, the aokdemr sees that they shall not want by generously allowing them a liberal sum. for their matnten&nee. Associates of the R©y*F Academy have tho same privileges as academician-*, /but the iiensions which they and' their widows are entitled to are on a smaller scale.

The artist who wishes to- become a Royal Academician must fhret become an associate. In order to achieve this he must oxhibtt pictures year after year at Burlington House »jid win the favour of the art critics. The favour of the critics, mea^s money, for when they cave over a pictnro it more often than nor procures a ready buyor. Having achieved a, certain amount of fame, the young artist who ,-has an atisociateship in view approaches- oae or other of the academician*, mod ask* that bis name shall be put down oo> the list of candidates, & list which is always, a lengthy one.

When an associate is- advanced to an academician a vacancy occurs, of course, amone the associates, and - then an election takes plane The list of candidates for associates is set up in type, ami printed copies are sent to- all the members- of the acideiry, accompanied, with, an intimation that they shall honour Burlington House with their presence on a certain evening. Both academicians and associates may take part in the election^ When the members hare- gathered at the academy each marks oat- on bis printed list of candidates the '■ name of the artist lie thmke should be* elected. The lists are" handed te>< the- secrefcwy, wire-, aMer examining them, announces how many votes each candidate has- received. The names of the candidates who have received 1 more than four votes are ordered by the presi-'k-nt to bo inscribed- in chalfc upon a blackboard Th«s- done the members voto again for the candidates whose names appear on the board.

The two leading men in the second election have the honour of a further ballot to themselves, and the one who heads the poll is acokimed the winner, and is made an associate of the Royal Aoademy.

When an associate desires to- become »n academician, he puts his name down on. a list and waits for a vacancy. When it occurs, an election similar to the one described takes place. The highest post connected with thd academy is, of course, tbo presidentship. This carries with it, as the general pubfic is well aware, v remuneration of a very substantial nature. The ielmry pud to* the presidpot; is taken out of- the interest of £100.000, which the late Si* Jfcaßoi» Ohaotrey bequeathed to the Royal Academy.