What was the purpose of the Royal Academy of San Carlos in Mexico City?

The Royal Academy of San Carlos was established in Mexico City in 1783 by the Spanish crown with the primary purpose of disciplining the increasingly independent and riotous colonial American arts.1

By founding the academy, Spain sought to reassert its presence and control in the colonies through the promotion of the Neoclassical style, which emphasized rational, balanced forms rooted in antiquity. To achieve this, the king sent Spanish artists to serve as instructors in various disciplines, including architecture, sculpture, medal casting, and painting. These efforts were part of a broader attempt by Iberian rulers to impose order and stability on their colonial territories during a period when the colonies were moving toward independence.1