Zwemmer Gallery

The gallery was established by Dutch-born Anton Zwemmer (1892–1979), as an annexe to the well-known art bookshop and publishers of Charing Cross Road and was located in nearby Litchfield Street. It was first managed by Robert Wellington, with modest finances but a daring policy. In 1929 he was persuaded by Victor Pasmore to mount an exhibition of work by artists associated with the Central School of Art, and it was at a second exhibition in 1931 that Robert Medley and William Coldstream made their debuts. One of the gallery's most interesting exhibitions Objective Abstractions was staged in 1934 and included work by Graham Bell, Rodrigo Moynihan, Ivor Hitchens, Victor Pasmore and Ceri Richards. In 1935 the gallery was the venue for the final exhibition of the 7 & 5 Society. This was the first all abstract exhibition to be held in Britain and included works by John Piper and Winifred Nicholson. During the mid-1930's the gallery also showed works by Picasso, de Chirico, Miró and the first British solo exhibition of Surrealist Salvador Dali. After World War II Zwemmers re-opened in 1947 and continued to encourage emerging artists, such as Harold Cheesman. Zwemmer's two sons John and Desmond joined their father in running the business which was renamed A. Zwemmer Ltd in 1949. In 1954 artist Michael Chase was appointed as a full-time gallery manager a post he held until the gallery closed its door in 1968.