Royal Irish Institution

The Royal Irish Institution (RII) was a Dublin-based art institution established in 1813 to encourage the displaying of fine arts in Ireland.

Not to be confused with Royal Hibernian Academy, Royal Irish Academy of Music, or Royal Irish Academy.
Royal Irish Institution
Formation1813
TypeCultural institution
PurposePromotion of fine arts in Ireland
Headquarters5 College Street, Dublin
Location
Patron
The Prince Regent (later George IV)
President
Duke of Leinster

One object was to start an academy in Dublin resulting in the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1823 and a gallery was opened in 1829 where old masters could be exhibited.

History

The institution was established following a public meeting in the Rotunda on 24 June 1813[1][lower-alpha 1] with the object of stimulating native talent by furnishing models to assist the labours of Irish artists and by rewarding the authors of works of superior merit. To this end old masters works were gathered together to be displayed.[2]

An exhibition of esteemed old paintings had never taken place in Ireland and a national gallery did not exist for such events. In the 18th century Irish noblemen and gentleman had brought several collections to Ireland but had been dispersed due to deaths or sold in England, while access to such collections had generally been only by favour.[3] Its first exhibition was held at the Royal Dublin Society's House on Hawkins Street.[2] The first and later exhibitions displayed works by "esteemed masters of the old Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Flemish schools" including works by artists such as William Hogarth and Joshua Reynolds.[3]

The permanent gallery, in College Street was designed by Frederick Darley and opened in 1829.[4] The gallery space was 40 feet long and 30 feet wide and was 19 feet high up to the cove. It was demolished in 1866 and replaced by the Provincial Bank of Ireland's headquarters.[5] As of June 2023, the building houses the Westin Hotel, Dublin.[6]

The institution held eight exhibitions between 1814 and 1832 but was forced to close due to financial troubles.[7]

Royal Irish Art Union

A later Royal Irish Art Union was established in 1839 and also held its meetings at the RII's headquarters on College Street. The organisation lasted until 1851 but ultimately also ceased operations.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. "Royal Irish Institution for promoting the Fine Arts in Ireland". Collections Online. Sir John Soane's Museum. 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  2. Strickland, Walter G. (November 1913). "The Royal Irish Institution". A Dictionary of Irish Artists. www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  3. Hardy, Philip Dixon (1831). The New Picture of Dublin: Or, Stranger's Guide Through the Irish Metropolis. Dublin: William Curry, Jun & Son. pp. 211–212.
  4. "CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, COLLEGE STREET, ROYAL IRISH INSTITUTION Dictionary of Irish Architects -". www.dia.ie. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. "1829 - Royal Irish Institution, College Street, Dublin". Lost Buildings of Ireland. Archiseek.com. 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  6. "1867 - Former Bank, College Street, Dublin". Architecture of Dublin City. Archiseek.com. 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  7. Black, Eileen (1989). "Practical Patriots and True Irishmen the Royal Irish Art Union 1839-59". Irish Arts Review Yearbook. Dublin: Irish Arts Review. 14: 140. ISSN 0791-3540. JSTOR 20492998. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  8. Strickland, Walter G. (November 1913). "The Royal Irish Art Union - Irish Artists". A Dictionary of Irish Artists. www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  9. "Collections Online | British Museum". www.britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
Footnotes
  1. Pettigrew & Oulton's 1847 Dublin Almanac and General Register of Ireland states 4 June as the founding date
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