The History of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours

Gallery of New Society of Painters in Watercolours, 1834
George Scharf (1788-1860)

The art of watercolour painting has been promoted by the RI since its Foundation in 1831, when it was formed, under the name New Society of Painters in Water Colours, as an alternative to an existing society (now the RWS) which had been founded in 1804 and which exhibited only the work of its own members. From the beginning the new Society showed non-members' works alongside that of members, a policy still followed today.

Both the New and Old Societies were started at a time when the Royal Academy was refusing to accept watercolours as a suitable medium for serious artistic expression despite its use by painters like Cotman, Turner, Cox, de Wint, Bonington and many other excellent exponents of this art form.

In 1863, after several name-changes and to avoid confusion with its predecessor, the New Society took the name of the Institute of Painters in Water Colours. In 1885, by command of Queen Victoria, the Institute was able to add the prefix 'Royal' to its title.

Galleries

The first three exhibitions of the New Society, 1832-1834, were held at 16 Old Bond Street, London; the painting (above) by George Scharf is a view of this gallery, painted to record one of these inaugural exhibitions (it is dated 1834). The next three exhibitions were held at Exeter Hall in The Strand (where the Strand Palace Hotel now stands). After 1838 the society established itself at 53 Pall Mall where it remained until 1883.

Exeter Hall in the Strand, London

190-195 Piccadilly

From 1883 until 1970 the RI was housed in a magnificent building in Piccadilly, almost opposite the Royal Academy. Designed by E R Robson the galleries opened with an exhibition of nearly 900 pictures, and a brilliant ceremony attended by the Prince of Wales.

Façade of 190-195 Picadilly, as it looks today

The Mall Galleries

The RI remained in Piccadilly until the lease expired in 1970, then joined with several other leading art societies in the Federation of British Artists based at the Mall Galleries which were opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1971. Its three galleries are situated in the basement of 17 Carlton House Terrace, at the east end of two terraces of white stucco-faced houses on the south side of the street overlooking St. James's Park. These terraces were designed by John Nash and built as private dwellings in 1827-32. The gallery and offices are leased from the Crown Estate by the Federation of British Artists.