Business papers and press cuttings relating to the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers

This material is held atTate Archive

  • Reference
    • GB 70 TGA 738
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1897-1937
  • Physical Description
    • 10 volumes

Scope and Content

The collection contains committee minutes from its foundation until 1925, minutes of the annual general meetings from 1902 to 1937, agendas and notes for meetings between 1905 and 1910, press cuttings (mainly reviewing the Society's exhibitions) and printed material relating to exhibitions.

Administrative / Biographical History

The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers was founded by Francis Howard on 23rd December 1897, and inaugurated in May 1898. Known as the 'International Society', it acted as a forum for independent artists from Europe and the USA who were invited to send work to, and support, international exhibitions in London and abroad. In the early years work from Royal Academicians was discouraged. In 1904, the Society was registered as a company under the Companies Act. The first President of the Society was Whistler, followed by Rodin. The first council included among others, John Lavery (Chairman), E.A. Walton, Sauter, Joseph Pennell and Gilbert. The Society organised its own exhibitions at various London galleries, including eventually the Royal Academy. In all, it held twenty-nine London exhibitions, between 1898 and 1925. The Council of the Society voted to wind up its Public Regulated Company in 1937, however the Society itself was to continue, and support exhibitions and purchase works of art until its existing funding ran out.

Arrangement

The items are arranged according to their diplomatic form: TGA 738/1-4 Minutes, TGA 738/5-6 Agendas and notes, TGA 738/7-9 Press cuttings, TGA 738/10 Exhibition catalogues, invites and bulletins.

Access Information

OPEN

Other Finding Aids

A paper list available in the reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the Executor to Francis Howard's estate.

Related Material

The library holds numerous exhibition catalogues for the Society, its Articles of Association, notes on committee minutes 1897-1905, and an early rule book. Files of correspondence from the Goupil Gallery contain references to the Society, 1902-1936 (TGA 8314/1/3/41-42), as do the papers of the founder, Francis Howard (TGA 737).