The Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture was established in 1648 in France to promote the arts, particularly painting and sculpture. It aimed to provide formal training for artists and to elevate the status of visual arts in society. The academy played a crucial role in shaping artistic standards and practices during the French classical period. The institution organized exhibitions, known as Salons, which showcased the works of its members and other artists. It also influenced the development of art education and established a hierarchy of genres, emphasizing history painting as the highest form of art. The academy was a significant force in the art world until the 19th century.