91 Art Club

A little-known art club founded in 1891, the sole purpose of which was to support female artists and arrange annually an exhibition of the members' art. The initiative came from female artists instigated by Swedish born Anna Nordgren. She and the vast majority of members lived and or worked in close proximity to studios in and around the Stanley Studios and or the Bolton Studios in South Kensington. Nordgren was the chairman from its first exhibitor in 1892 until the last a decade later. At the Club's first exhibition 60 artists exhibited more than 100 works, but there is no record of how many works were sold.

To become a member an applicant was required to take an entrance exam which consisted of a submission of work where the committee assessed the applicant's skills. The first exhibitions, 1892 and 1893, were held at Bolton Studios, after which the association hired various galleries year by year. These included the Clifford Gallery, Doré Gallery, Maddox Street Gallery and the Egyptian Hall. At its height, the Club boasted about 100 members.