Government School of Design (London)

Other names: Central School of Design (from c. 1852)
Foundation date: 1837

Function: Art school

Policy: 'Modelling of Ornament; and of the Figure as applied to Ornament' is recorded in the course curriculm for 1848 (the first report sampled). The Prospectus records that 'Drawing, Painting and Modelling are therefore taught, with a view to the acquisition of knowledge and skill in Ornamental Design and Decoration. This forms the essential and characteristic business of the School, by which it is distinguished from other Schools of Art'. Morning and evening classes were held for male students. A separate female school is listed in 1848 at '330 Strand, where upwards of 60 Students can be received'.

History or description: In an introduction to a report on 'Elementary Drawing Schools' from 1853, the foundation of the School of Design are described as follows:
'The School of Design was established in 1837, upon the recommendation of the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed in 1835 to "inquire into the best means of extending a knowledge of the Arts and the Principles of Design among the people (especially the manufacturing population) of the country." This Committee recommended the formation of an institution, where "not theoretical instruction only, but the direct practical application of the Arts to Manufactures ought to be deemed an essential element." A school was accordingly established in the Metropolis, and hitherto the whole business of the Metropolitan School has been carried on at Sommerset House, where its development was much contracted for want of room; but for the present, as a temporary arrangement, to meet the growing want of the public for education in Art applied to Industry, accomodation has been afforded by the gracious permission of Her Majesty the Queen, for THE OFFICES, THE MUSEUM, THE LECTURE-ROOM, AND SOME OF THE CLASS-ROOMS OF THE DEPARTMENT [sic caps.], at Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London'. (p. 2).
A more detailed description of the history of the school is given by Henry Cole in his 'Address at the Opening of an Elementary Drawing School at Westminster' (contained in the same report, pp. 3-11). Cole notes that a Central School of Design was established in 1837, 'the express purpose of which was to provide for the architect, the upholsterer, the weaver, the printer, the potter, and all manufacturers, artizans better educated to originate and execute their respective wares, and to invest them with greater symmetry of form, with increased harmony of colour, and with greater symetry of form, with increased harmony of colour, and with greater fitness of decoration; to render manufacturers not less useful by ornamenting them, but more beautiful, and therefore more useful. The establishment of the Central School at Somerset House has been followed by the organisation of 21 other schools, located in all parts of the United Kingdom'. Cole goes on to note that the previous fourteen years had demonstrated that 'students did not exist sufficiently qualified by previous Art-education to enter them, but had to be trained, not merely to understand and practise the principles of design, but to learn the very elements of drawing. Indeed principles of design were hardly admitted to exist'. Cole noted that instead of being School of Design for 'teaching the principles and practice of applied art', circumstances had necessitated that they teach the basics of drawing, and they were 'under the obligation of teaching little else than the mere ABC of art'. Cole describes how the government had thus recognised the need for elementary instruction for 'all classes'. The first Elementary Drawing School was established in London in 1853. Government aid was to be offered to aid the foundation of new local provincial drawing schools.

Citing this record

'Government School of Design (London)', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib4_1267714397, accessed 02 Feb 2023]