Comment on 3.1.1799
The common practice used to be that history painters, sculptors, and architects travelled for six years. See F. Meldahl & P. Johansen: Det kongelige Akademi for skjønne Kunster, 1700-1904, Copenhagen 1904, supplement XXV (Regulation of 21.6.1771). In July 1790, however, the King had approved a proposal from Abildgaard to limit the period of travels abroad to three years and only to grant a prolongation to four, five, or six years “when the student abroad through unusual talent, combined with continuous diligence gave reason to hope that he would to achieve a high degree of perfection in his art”, ibid., p. 105.
The prolongation Thorvaldsen asked of the Academy was usually granted.
Last updated 09.01.2015