Design for a medal commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Royal Academy, ca. 1793

Joseph Nollekens RA (1737 - 1823)

RA Collection: Art

A pencil drawing, within a round border, depicting the figure of Athena/Minerva wearing a helmet and holding a spear, sitting on a throne on a raised platform surrounded by figures representing Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. On the left is a female figure wearing classical robes and holding a small canvas for the goddess to see, while on the right a similar figure holds a sculpted bust and on the far right another figure points to a scroll bearing a design.

This composition differs entirely from the other three attached to this sheet (08/2866, 08/2878 and 08/2880), though it addresses the same theme of the sister arts. According to the label attached to the sheet of drawings, from an exhibition catalogue, all four drawings relate to Joseph Nollekens's designs for a 'seal of the Royal Academy'. However, it has since been found that they in fact relate to a proposed medal for the 25th anniversary of the Royal Academy's foundation in 1793.