Making the Modern Artist

The book delves into the historical development of the "modern artist" in Britain, challenging conventional narratives that place its origins in 19th-century Paris or 20th-century New York. Through an extensive biographical analysis of nearly 1,800 Royal Academy students from 1769 to 1830, it uncovers the influence of family, social networks, and mobility on artistic identity. By linking the rise of the artist to the evolution of capitalism, it explores the intersections of personal freedom, liberal individualism, and the social challenges of the modern age.