Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers

This Livery Company of the City of London dates back to 1283 and was originally formed for the benefit of metal and woodworkers. A similar organisation involved with the dyeing and painting of textiles existed in the early 1400's. In 1581 the two merged by a Royal Charter and became its present-day title. Nowadays the Company is less a trade organisation but more of a charity concerned largely with the promotion and education of the fine and decorative arts and crafts. In 2012 The Painters' Company Scholarship Scheme was created aimed at graduates in London art schools and colleges who are selected on merit alone, the winners receiving each year, an award of £5000 from the beginning of their second year until the completion of their studies. Furthermore, The Painters Company also co-sponsors one of the largest UK open art competitions namely, the Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize. Created in 2005 its object is the encouragement of the very best creative representational painting and the promotion of the skill of draftsmanship. It awards annual prize money of £30,000 but appears to have ceased c.2020.

Illustrious members of the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers include Sir Joshua Reynolds the founder and first President of the Royal Academy, Godfrey Kneller, Alfred Lord Leighton, John Everett Millais and in more recent times, Alfred Munnings, Tom Monnington and Roger de Grey.