The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers
Foundation date: 1898
Dissolution date: 1925
Function: Art society
Policy: 'To promote the study, practice, and knowledge of sculpture, painting, etching, lithographing, engraving, and kindered arts in England or elsewhere...'. In the ISSPG Manchester exhibition catalogue of 1905 it was stated: 'The object of the Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers is to familiarize the public with the principal work that is being done on the Continent and in America and the leading movements, and to encourage the development of individual art in this country in the three branches: Sculpture, Painting and Engraving' (p. 10)
Rules: Works in exhibitions mingled irrespective of nationality; unlimited number of exhibits allowed per individual, though seemingly limited to two on certain years. Works selected by elected jury. Members elected only after participation in an ISSPG exhibition, or by invitation of the council. German and Austrian artists had their membership suspended by the society during the 1914-1918 war.
Meeting schedule: variable
History or description: 1898
Chairman: James McNeill Whistler
Honourary Secretary: Francis Howard, 57 Glebe Place, Chelsea
Following Whistler's death in 1903, the post of President was filled by Auguste Rodin and the Vice-President was John Lavery.
Activities: art union, exhibitions (open to non-members), exhibitions (members only), meetings, musical entertainments, musical evenings, social events, social meetings, soirees
Publications: exhibition catalogues, illustrated exhibition catalogues, reports
Benefits: criticism of work by fellow members, eligible for exhibition, grants and prizes
Composition: professional artists
Funding types: exhibition entry fees
Works
Dates are usually the year a work was exhibited so may differ from date of production.
New entries have been made each time a work was exhibited due to a lack of evidence about the state, medium or edition shown.
Patron to Whistler Memorial
donated £500 towards the project
Locations
Held an exhibition at Prince's Skating Rink Knightsbridge London England | View on map
Held an exhibition at 191 Piccadilly London England | View on map
Held an exhibition at New Gallery Regent Street London England | View on map
Held an exhibition at Grafton Galleries London | View on map
Held an exhibition at New Gallery Regent Street London England | View on map
Held an exhibition at Grosvenor Gallery 51a New Bond Street London England | View on map
Exhibitions, Courses, Meetings and other Events
Organized International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers Exhibition (Nottingham Castle Museum), 1906
1906
Organized Exhibition of International Art of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1898
1898
Organized Third Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1901
Organized Fourth Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1904
Organized Fifth Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1905
Organized Seventh Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1907
Organized Exhibition of Fair Women (International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London), 1908
Organized Second Exhibition of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1899
Organized Sixth Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1906
Organized Exhibition of Fair Women (International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London), 1909
Organized Exhibition of Fair Women (International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, London), 1910
Organized Eighth Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1908
Organized Ninth Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1909
Organized The Spring Exhibition of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers (London), 1913
Organized Second Council meeting of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Organized Fifth Council Meeting of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Organized Third Council Meeting of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Organized Fourth Council Meeting of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Organized Ninth Council Meeting of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Organized Tenth Council Meeting of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, 1898
Institutional and Business Connections
Initiative supported by Royal Society of British Sculptors
1908
International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers wrote to the Royal Society of British Sculptors, requesting that individual members support their forthcoming exhibition of 'Fair Women'. The request was approved [3 February 1908, Royal Society of British Sculptors: Minutes of Council Meetings, Vol.I].
Associated People
Associate members included John Paul Cooper
1906 (Presumed)
Associate members included John Henry Monsell Furse
1906 (Presumed)
Associates included John Paul Cooper
Associates included Robert Anning Bell
Associates included Gerald E. Moira
Associates included Charles Shannon
At their fifth meeting, in 1898, the Council of the ISSPG decide to invite Shannon to participate in their exhibition.
Associates included Charles de Sousy Ricketts
At their fifth meeting, in 1898, the Council of the ISSPG decide to invite Ricketts to participate in their exhibition.
Associates included William Rothenstein
At their fifth meeting, in 1898, the Council of the ISSPG decide to invite Rothenstein to participate in their exhibition.
Candidates for membership included Thomas Stirling Lee
At their fourth meeting, in 1898, the Council of the ISSPG decide to invite Lee to participate in their exhibition.
Honorary secretary was Thomas Stirling Lee
1905 (Presumed)
Members included Alexander Kellock Brown
Members included Nelson Ethelred Dawson
1925 (Presumed)
Associate member.
Members included Constantin Meunier
Honorary member
Members included Auguste Saint-Gaudens
Honorary member
Members included Franz Stuck
Honorary member
Members included Alfred Gilbert
1898
Was chair for first three meetings, then resigned. At their fourth meeting, in 1898,in his absence, the Council of decided to invite Gilbert to participate in their exhibition.
Members included John Paul Cooper
1899 (Presumed) - 1919 (Presumed)
Associate member.
Members included (Edward) Alfred Briscoe Drury
1899 (Presumed) - 1905 (Presumed)
Executive member.
Members included John Henry Monsell Furse
1899 - 1915
Executive Member 1899, associate member 1905-1909, member of council 1910, associate member 1913 - 1915.
Members included Harry (Henry) Wilson
1899 (Presumed) - 1925 (Presumed)
Executive member.
Members included Thomas Stirling Lee
1899 - 1909
Executive Member from 1899 to 1909; honorary secretary in 1905.
Members included Charles Shannon
1906 - 1921
Executive Member.
Members included David McGill
1907 - 1910
Associate member.
Members included John Tweed
1907 - 1911
Associate member.
Members included James Havard Thomas
1908 - 1921
At their fourth meeting, in 1898, the Council of the ISSPG decided to invite Thomas to participate in their exhibition. Associate member 1908, Executive member 1909-1921.
Members included Reginald Fairfax Wells
1908 - 1925
Associate member.
Members included Charles de Sousy Ricketts
1910 - 1921
Executive member.
Members included Charles Holroyd
1913 (Circa) - 1916 (Presumed)
Associate member.
Members included Paul Wayland Bartlett
1913 (Circa) - 1921 (Presumed)
Associate member
Members included Glyn Warren Philpot
1913 (Circa) - 1925 (Presumed)
Associate member until 1916; executive member thereafter.
Members included Kathleen (Edith Agnes) Scott
1915 (Circa) - 1922 (Circa)
Associate member.
Members included Ernest Cole
1925 (Presumed)
Associate member.
Presidents included Auguste Rodin
Vice-presidents included Thomas Stirling Lee
Sources
Catalogue of the Spring Exhibition, 1913, held at the Grosvenor Gallery, 51a New Bond Street., W.
1913
Hard cover volume containing bulletins, exhibition catalogues, entry forms, private view cards, passes for exhibitions and invitations for social events
Contains some finance reports and 1907 'Memorandum and Articles of Association'.
International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers Exhibition, 1906
1906
pp. 1-32.
International Society, press cuttings, from autumn 1914
1914 (Circa)
Minutes of Council Meetings of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers
Royal Society of British Sculptors. Minutes of Council Meetings No. 1, 1905-1913
19 May 1913
3 February 1908.
Citing this record
'The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers', Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951, University of Glasgow History of Art and HATII, online database 2011 [http://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib2_1203018932, accessed 28 Sep 2023]