The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers was a union of professional artists that existed from 1898 to 1925, "To promote the study, practice, and knowledge of sculpture, painting, etching, lithographing, engraving, and kindred arts in England or elsewhere...".[1] It came to be known simply as The International.[2] The society organised exhibitions, some for members only and some open to others, and social events such as musical evenings and soirées.[1] The exhibitions were held in a number of London venues, and in other cities around England, including Nottingham and Manchester.[1] Its founder and first president was James McNeill Whistler.[1] On his death, the presidency was taken up by Auguste Rodin, with John Lavery as vice-president.[1] The society contributed £500 towards the cost of Whistler's memorial.[1]
Formation
The society was initially incorporated as The Exhibition of International Art Ltd., but soon changed its name to the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. The prospectus issued by the new society read in part:[3]
"… a Society for the promotion of Exhibitions of International Art has been formed, the aim of the organisers being to hold exhibitions of the finest art of the day … in May, June and July at Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, a building which when suitably altered and arranged will be unusually well adapted for that purpose. The Gallery will be known as the International Gallery and a feature of the exhibitions will be the non-recognition of nationality in art …"
Exhibitions
Exhibitions organised by the society included:[1][2]
- 1898: Exhibition of International Art of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May–July
- 1899: Second Exhibition of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May–July
- 1900: No exhibition, on account of the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900
- 1901: Third Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Galleries of the Royal Institute, 191 Piccadilly, London, October–December
- 1904: Fourth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–March
- 1905: Fifth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
- 1906: International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers Exhibition; Nottingham Castle Museum
- 1906: Sixth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
- 1907: Seventh Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–March
- 1908: Eighth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
- 1908: Exhibition of Fair Women; International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, New Gallery, Regent Street, London
- 1909: Ninth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
- 1909: Exhibition of Fair Women; International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; New Gallery, Regent Street, London
- 1910: Tenth Annual Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, London, April–May
- 1910: Exhibition of Fair Women; International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Grafton Gallery, London, May–June
- 1911: Eleventh Annual Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, London, April–May
- 1911: "A Century of Art, 1810-1910"; Grafton Gallery, June–July
- 1912: Twelfth Annual Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, London, April–May
- 1912: "Contemporary British landscape"; Thirteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery
- 1912: "Exhibition of Fair Children"; Grafton Gallery, London, June–July
- 1913: The Spring Exhibition; Fourteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, April–May
- 1913: The Autumn Exhibition; Fifteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October–November
- 1914: The Spring Exhibition; Sixteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, April–May
- 1914: The Autumn Exhibition; Seventeenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October–November
- 1915: The Spring Exhibition; Eighteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, May–June
- 1915: The Autumn Exhibition; Nineteenth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October–November
- 1916: The Spring Exhibition; Twentieth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, May–July
- 1916: The Autumn Exhibition; Twenty-first London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October–November
- 1917: Twenty-second Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, June
- 1918: The Summer Exhibition; Twenty-third London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, May
- 1918: The Autumn Exhibition; Twenty-fourth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October–November
- 1919: The Spring Exhibition; Twenty-fifth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, May–July
- 1919: The Autumn Exhibition; Twenty-sixth London Exhibition; Grosvenor Gallery, October
- 1921: The Annual Exhibition; Twenty-seventh London Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, April–May
- 1922: The Annual Exhibition; Twenty-eighth London Exhibition; Grafton Gallery, April–May
- 1925: The Annual Exhibition; Twenty-ninth London Exhibition; Royal Academy
