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School is a building composed of large rooms, in which professors give classes in Mathematics, Warfare, Artillery, the Navy, Painting, Architecture, etc. It differs from an academy, which is a place where men selected for their knowledge and experience gather to work together for the progress of the Sciences and the Arts ( see Academy); instead, a school is the place in which these same sciences and these same arts are taught by men who are each recognized for their ability in their fields. Thus it was that in 1740 was founded the school of M. [Jacques-François] Blondel, rue des Cordeliers, and presently rue de la Harpe in Paris, whose establishment was approved 6 May 1743 by the Académie royale d'Architecture and authorized by the ministry in 1750.
The study of Architecture being the principal object of this school, M. Blondel teaches everything related to the theory and practice of the art of building, and in addition, all the arts and sciences related to Architecture. He selects the most able professors to demonstrate mathematics, stone-cutting, perspective, drawing (of not only the figure, but landscape and ornament as well), so that each intelligent student can move sure-footedly from knowledge of the Sciences to that of the Beaux-Arts, from that of taste to that of basic principles, and from speculation to experience.
By these means, entrants to this school who decide on a particular field find upon leaving that they have received a general knowledge of other areas, knowledge that assures them of the greatest success in their chosen profession.
As to the method followed in these Architecture lessons: they begin with the elements of the art; these elements are then applied to simple compositions, which lead to greater exploration of theory; and when students are ready to discover, through visual examination of monuments, the source of the beauty or flaws found therein, their work on more complex problems is facilitated by the aid of the best lessons, convincing demonstrations, and texts; such approaches ease the difficulties that arise by the required coordination of construction, distribution and decoration that must be done without error if one seeks professional success in so vast and encompassing an art. During the summer, after having discussed the opinions held by the ancients and the moderns, each student is sent into buildings being constructed in the different parts of this capital, so that he may gain knowledge of [professional] practice, technical details, and building costs.
To further bring their studies to the desired point of perfection, upon returning from the workshops they enter a series of competitions, some in architecture, some in mathematics, others in drawing, others still in stone-cutting; and a prize is given to those who achieve the highest degree of success in each area. The prize consists of a medal, which is distributed before an audience consisting of admirers of architecture, academicians, and renowned artists, who are pleased to support the emulation seen to reign in this school by deciding the merit of the competing works, and by deciding the prizes that are distributed in their presence and in accordance with their vote.
Despite the success of this establishment, it still seemed somewhat lacking to its author. To render it more useful, and the knowledge of Architecture more universal, he set aside twelve places in this school that are free of charge for as many young citizens favored more by nature than by fortune, who show the promising aptitudes and talents that produce [responsible] subjects for the state; and he opened several public courses, which he gives on a regular basis; and so that his lessons become useful to all, this art has been considered from three points of view, to wit: principles, theory, and practice; and therefore every Thursday and Saturday of each week, from 3:00 p.m. until 5, he gives a basic course in architecture theory, composed of forty lessons directed to well-born persons whose education must include knowledge of this art. After these forty lessons, they are led through famous buildings by the author, so that they may learn how to distinguish between the excellent, the good, the mediocre, and the defective. This course is offered periodically, and it is always opened by a discourse whose object is some important dissertation upon Architecture, or the Arts in general.
Every Sunday of the year, after noon and at the same time, he gives a course in architecture theory in which he explains, carefully demonstrates, and lectures broadly on the fundamental principles of this art to young architects, painters, sculptors, engravers, decorators and, in general, all entrepreneurs in the building trades who, kept all week in their workshops, would be deprived of these useful lessons if they could not take them on their day of leisure.
Finally, every Sunday morning, he gives a course on practical Geometry, and the principles of Architecture and drawing for artisans, all of whom receive information they need for their particular profession, whether it be Masonry, Carpentry, Locksmithing, Cabinetry, etc.
These various exercises are also open to those who need particular knowledge of drawing, such as Watchmakers, Chasers [ ciseleurs ] and Casters [ fondeurs ] of metal , Goldsmiths, etc., who find in them all the pertinent and necessary instruction they need to perfect their taste and their skills.
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