When was the Royal Academy of Arts founded?

King George IIIThe Royal Academy of Arts was founded in 1768 by George III after talks with one of the leading painters at that time, Sir Joshua Reynolds.

There was to be a president and forty academicians and the Academy was to hold regular exhibitions of art, which had to include not only members work but contribution from outside bodies as well. 

Not long after it was set up the Academy instituted its own school which acted as an enormous encouragement to young artists whatever their background.

The King selected 36 out of the 40 members which included the famous landscape and portrait painter, Thomas Gainsborough. 

He made Sir Joshua Reynolds the first president and held the position until his death in 1792.

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Who was Confucius?

Confucius is the Westernised name for a Chinese philosopher named Kung Fu Tsu (550-478 BC)  He was a government servant who wanted to improve his own way of life and that of others.

He began to teach his philosophy and built up a large following.  Later, he was appointed governer of a small district and he was able to incorporate a lot of his ideas and put them into practice.

Confucianism is still an influence in present day China, although the government don’t advertise it.

 

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Who kicked the most penalty goals for the British Lions in a Test Series?

Neil Jenkins

Former Wales international outside half Neil Jenkins holds the record for most penalty goals kicked by a Lion in a series after slotting 13 in the win over South Africa in 1997. It’s a Wallaby who tops the list for the same feat against the … [Continue reading]

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Who was the First Person to Run a Mile in less than Four Minutes?

His name was Sir Roger Bannister, a 25 year old English doctor and an athlete. On 6th May 1954, he ran a mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds, making him the first man to beat the four minute barrier. But the following month on 21st June, his … [Continue reading]

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What is Antipasto?

You've probably never heard of it and might even think its someone who doesn't like pasta, but as the name suggests - Antipasto - originates from Italy and is a form of first course meal. It is a light course and a traditional antipasto includes … [Continue reading]

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Why was Pablo Picasso so remarkable?

To start with at the age of ten Pablo Picasso was a mature painter,  and he was still painting into his 90's. Picasso was born in Spain in 1881, and became an exceptional painter of high merit.   His early work representational, but as he grew … [Continue reading]

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What is a Mezzotint?

A Mezzotint is a development of line engraving. You take your engraved plate, make it rough all over by scraping across it and then smooth over those parts you want to be printed in light shades. The lines of the engraving almost disappear and … [Continue reading]

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Who was the first person to conquer Mount Everest?

The name of the man that first reached the summit of Mount Everest, was Sir Edmund Hillary. The New Zealand mountaineer, reached the top accompanied by the Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing in June 1953. He also went to the South Pole in 1958 on Sir … [Continue reading]

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What is a Coracle?

A coracle is a Celtic (usually Welsh) wickerwork framed boat,  in an oval shape which is then covered with leather skin and rendered watertight with pitch.   It is driven with a paddle. In Cenarth Falls in Carmarthenshire, Wales there is a … [Continue reading]

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Who was Tutankhamun?

Tutankhamen was a boy Pharaoh of ancient Egypt (he was the 12th king of the 18th Egyptian dynasty) and he reigned from 1360 to about 1350bc. His achievements were few as he died before he was twenty. His tomb however, is famous as it was … [Continue reading]

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