International Society of Sculptors, Painters & Gravers
Formed in December 1897 this Society opened its doors to the public the following year. Its founders included American-born Francis Howard, James Guthrie, E. A. Walton and John Lavery and James McNeill Whistler, was appointed its first President. Although as yet little is known of this Society it was no doubt highly regarded in its time by its membership and officers, Auguste Rodin being its second President in 1904. Cosmopolitan in its outlook, one of its goals was 'the non-recognition of nationality in art' - and artists from many different countries were invited to join an Honorary Council. It was also very clearly stated in the Society's manifesto that no exhibiting member was allowed to be a member of the RA!
The first exhibition was held in May 1898 at the Prince's Skating Club, Knightsbridge, London and showed the work of artists from Italy, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Germany, France and America. Subsequent exhibitions were staged at the New Gallery and the Grafton Galleries. Artists known to have exhibited as well as those already mentioned include Alfred Gilbert, Frederick Sandys, Arthur Melville, William Rothenstein, Charles Ricketts, Charles Shannon, F. Boileau Cadel, Mary Cassatt, John Copley, William Russell Flint, Ethel Gabain, Laura Knight, Ben Nicholson, William Orpen, Glyn Philpot, James Pryde, William Strang, Jack B. Yeats and Osip Zadkine. The Society almost bankrupt early in its existence went on to become a focal point for artists not only from Britain but from America, France, Germany and Scandinavia. The Society appears to have ceased in or around 1937.
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Number of Artists referenced:
687