How does this artwork elucidate its Subjects?
The Academicians depicted (all founder members in 1768 unless noted) are:They are distributed around the room, most conversing rather than drawing or painting.  Sir Joshua Reynolds, the President of the Royal Academy, is in black to the left of centre, with his ear trumpet.  Zoffany became a Royal Academician in 1769, and he includes himself as a self portrait at the far left, with his palette.  He is balanced on the right side of the painting by the second model and a fragment of marble torso.
Also included with the Royal Academicians is the Chinese artist Tan-Che-Qua – fifth from the left – who was visiting London at the time, and two life models.
Five founder members of the Royal Academy are not depicted: John Baker (died 1771), Francis Cotes (died 1770), George Dance the Younger, Nathaniel Dance, and Thomas Gainsborough.
George Dance the Younger Tan-Che-Qua ear trumpet Joshua Reynolds John Baker Francis Cotes life model Thomas Gainsborough Nathaniel Dance