British Academy

The centenary of the founding of the British Academy of Arts in Rome was celebrated by a brilliant reception and an address from Sir Oscar Browning, English Historian.

The Academy is situated in the Valle Guilia near the Borghese Gardens and was founded 100 years ago by Lord Hamilton, then British Ambassador to the Court of Naples. At the conclusion of the 1815 peace, many British artists began to visit Rome. A subscription of -L-100 was given by Lord Hamilton to provide a home for these artists. Both George IV and Queen Victoria were among the subsequent benefactors of the Academy.