Royal Watercolour Society
The Society originally called the Society of Painters in Water Colours, was also referred to as the Old Watercolour Society. It was founded in 1804 and ranks next to the Royal Academy in seniority among the main British exhibiting societies. On receiving its Royal Charter in 1884 it changed its designation to the Royal Watercolour Society as it is now known. One of its principal initiators was William Frederick Wells, Professor of Drawing at Addiscombe Military Academy and a close friend of J.M.W. Turner. Membership has included such distinguished English watercolourists as John Varley, Joshua Cristall, John Sell Cotman and Samuel Prout and the Society's first President, William Sawrey Gilpin, was also a drawing master at the leading military academies – first at Great Marlow and later at Sandhurst. Within a few years, David Cox, Peter de Wint, Copley Fielding, Miles Birkett Foster and Samuel Palmer had become members. The Society is based at the Bankside Gallery in Blackfriars and admission is by sponsorship and election. Participation in its two annual exhibitions, in spring and autumn, is restricted to members only, although the Old Watercolour Society Club, which runs in conjunction with the main society, is open to connoisseurs and anyone interested in watercolour painting. The Bankside Gallery is also the home of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers.
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Number of Artists referenced:
598