Let us prove the wrong that the Academies are doing to art itself and how far they are from fulfilling the goal that they set for themselves; let us unmask the clique mentality that guides them, the base jealousy of their members, the cruel means they use to choke new talent, and the myopic vengence they employ relentlessly if, by chance, the young man they are persecuting has received from nature a talent that places him beyond the reach of their tyrannical domination.

Twelve professors per year, one per month (note that they cannot be fired), are eager to destroy the basic principles that a young artist has received and continues to receive from his master. As you can imagine, these professors find only their own ideas valid; the poor young man, to please each of them, has to change his way of seeing and doing twelve times a year. Having learned his art twelve different times, he ends up knowing nothing, because he doesn't know what to retain. But should he overcome this poor instruction thanks to a rare disposition received from the heavens, this child of many fathers (but heir to none) arouses the base jealousy of all his masters to be rid of him.

The policy of kings is to preserve the equality of crowns; the policy of the Academies is to preserve the equality of talents. This brings misfortune on the strong-minded artist who goes beyond the circle of Popilius—he becomes a stranger to the academicians; he is like the outsider who profanes by his very presence the sacred woods of the druids; and, if he is not promptly killed, they chase him away with their expressions of disgust.

Jacques-Louis David, speech to the National Convention, August 8, 1793