The Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera ("academy of fine arts of Brera"), also known as the Accademia di Brera or Brera Academy, is a state-run art school in Milan, Italy. Its main building is the Palazzo Brera. The Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan's main public museum for art, is also located in the building. The Palazzo Brera was built in 1615 to designs by the Milanese architect Francesco Maria Richini (1584–1658).[1]
The academy was founded in 1776 by Maria Theresa of Austria. Other important institutions were also housed in the Palazzo Brera during that time. These included an observatory, botanical gardens, science laboratories, a library, and the Scuole Palatine (schools for philosophy and law). The Pinacoteca di Brera as been located in the building since 1806. [2]: 249 [1]
In 1891, the first Triennale di belle arti exposition was held at the academy. The exposition took place every three years. Each exhibition had a special theme. The first one was devoted to new trends in the plastic arts. The exhibit included some of the first examples of Italians painting in the pointillist style.[3]
Like other state-run art academies in Italy, the Accademia di Brera falls under the Italian ministry of education and research.[4] It awards first- and second-level degrees, specialised degrees, master's degrees and doctorates.[5]
The accademia has three departments:
The academy has about 3,800 students, including about 1,000 foreign students (mostly postgraduates).[7]
Media related to Palazzo di Brera (Milan) at Wikimedia Commons