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| Formation | 1821 |
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| Location |
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| Coordinates | 52°29′06″N1°54′27″W / 52.4849°N 1.9075°W |
Formerly called | Birmingham Society of Artists |
The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an art society, based in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, England, where it owns and operates an art gallery, the RBSA Gallery, on Brook Street, just off St Paul's Square. It is both a registered charity, [1] [2] and a registered company (no. 122616). [2]
The RBSA was established as the Birmingham Society of Artists in 1821, though it can trace its origins back further to the life drawing academy opened by Samuel Lines, Moses Haughton, Vincent Barber and Charles Barber in Peck Lane (now the site of New Street Station) in 1809. [3] From this group was founded the Birmingham Academy of Arts in 1814, whose first exhibition was held that year. [4] In 1821, the Birmingham Society of Arts moved into a circular building on New Street however this was replaced by a new gallery and set of offices built behind a fine neo-classical portico in New Street by architects Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson in 1829. In 1868 the RBSA received its royal charter and adopted its current name.
The RBSA was to become a highly influential body in the later Victorian period, particularly within the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts and Crafts movements. Its members included some of the most significant figures in English art, and presidents during the period included artists of the stature of Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris, John Everett Millais and Lord Leighton. The Membership has two levels with artists first being elected Associates and then full Members. Members and Associates of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "RBSA" and "ARBSA" respectively.
One of principal aims of the Society from its foundation had been to continue the educational activities pioneered by Lines. Initially this work was carried out by the society itself, but in 1842 group split and the Birmingham School of Art was founded as a separate institution a year later, falling under municipal control from 1877.
Annual exhibitions of work by the Membership have taken place every year since the inaugural exhibition in 1827 (apart from 1940, 1941, and 2020).
Increasing financial pressure in the early years of the 20th century led to the society's landmark New Street building being demolished and rebuilt as part of a commercial redevelopment, and in 2000 the society left the site completely, relocating to a converted warehouse near St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter (grid reference SP063874 ). This is now known as the RBSA Gallery, and was opened by Charles, Prince of Wales, on 12 April 2000. [5]
Since the move, the RBSA has continued to expand and develop its activities. The Permanent Collection and Archive is now housed in a purpose built store which has allowed the collection to grow to around 1000 works, alongside countless catalogues, letters, records, and minutes, all documenting the Society's history. This collection is also an important record of the arts in Birmingham and the city's history. The RBSA successfully applied for Museum Accreditation in 2006 and exhibitions of work from the collection take places twice a year.
In 2017, the RBSA was fortunate to receive a legacy left by Kate Fryer, a long standing Member and RBSA Professor of Painting. This kick-started the full refurbishment of the Gallery which was also supported by grants from other charitable trusts.
The two bronze plaques on its exterior, made in 1919, are the earliest known Birmingham works of William Bloye, later the society's president [6] and Professor of Sculpture. [6]
Many of the Society's presidents were notable artists. They include: [7]
The RBSA continues its core activities today as an independent, artist-led charity which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events and workshops.
Sir John Everett Millais, 1st Baronet was an English painter and illustrator who was one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. He was a child prodigy who, aged eleven, became the youngest student to enter the Royal Academy Schools. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was founded at his family home in London, at 83 Gower Street. Millais became the most famous exponent of the style, his painting Christ in the House of His Parents (1849–50) generating considerable controversy, and he produced a picture that could serve as the embodiment of the historical and naturalist focus of the group, Ophelia, in 1851–52.
Sir Martin Archer Shee was an Irish portrait painter. He also served as the president of the Royal Academy.
William James Bloye was an English sculptor, active in Birmingham either side of World War II. After serving in World War I, Bloye studied and later taught at the Birmingham School of Art. Becoming a member of the Birmingham Civic Society in 1925, he played a significant role as Birmingham's unofficial civic sculptor, contributing to various public commissions. Bloye was a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, attaining the status of fellow in 1938. His association with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) included serving as its president from 1948 to 1950 and as the Professor of Sculpture. He retired in 1956 and died away in 1975.
Sir Frank William Brangwyn was a Welsh artist, painter, watercolourist, printmaker, illustrator and designer.
Sir Charles Lock Eastlake was a British painter, gallery director, collector and writer of the 19th century. After a period as keeper, he was the first director of the National Gallery. From 1850 to 1865 he served as President of the Royal Academy, succeeding Martin Archer Shee in the role.
Frank Cadogan Cowper was an English painter and illustrator of portraits, historical and literary scenes, also described as "The Last Pre-Raphaelite".
William Gear RA RBSA was a Scottish painter, most notable for his abstract compositions.
The Royal Society of Portrait Painters is a charity based at Carlton House Terrace, SW1, London that promotes the practice and appreciation of portraiture art.
Mildred Anne Butler was an Irish artist, who worked in watercolour and oil of landscape, genre and animal subjects. Butler was born and spent most of her life in Kilmurry, Thomastown, County Kilkenny and was associated with the Newlyn School of painters.
Samuel Lines was an English designer, painter and art teacher, and an early member of the Birmingham School of landscape painters.
James Priddey, RBSA, PPRBSA, FRSA, was an English painter, printmaker, illustrator and member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Arthur Joseph Gaskin RBSA was an English illustrator, painter, teacher and designer of jewellery and enamelwork.
Norman Neasom RWS, RBSA was an English painter and art teacher. He grew up on Birchensale Farm in Brockhill Lane on the outskirts of Redditch, Worcestershire. On finishing his schooling at Redditch County High School, aged 16, he was given a scholarship at the Birmingham College of Art where, from 1931, he worked under Bernard Fleetwood-Walker, Harold Holden, Henry Sands, Michael Fletcher and William Colley.
Sara Wells Page (1855–1943) was a British artist, portrait and figurative painter, of the Victorian and Edwardian period. During her lifetime she was widely exhibited at Parisian salons and British galleries, including the Royal Academy of Arts. Three of her paintings are in Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
William John Wainwright PRBSA (1855–1931) was a painter who spent most of his life in Birmingham, England.
Henry Harris Lines was a landscape artist and archaeologist, and the eldest son of Birmingham artist and drawing master Samuel Lines (1778–1863). There are a number of Henry's works stored in the permanent collections of various provincial museums and art galleries including Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) Gallery. As well as at the Birmingham Society of Arts, Henry also exhibited at the Royal Academy, British Institution and Society of British Artists. The Wright family's patronage of the Lines family is also evident in William Rostill Lines's sculpture Bust of Mr. Thomas Wright Hill that was exhibited at the Birmingham Society of Arts Exhibition in 1829.
William Arthur Breakspeare RBA, RBSA was an artist from Birmingham, England, the son of John Breakspeare, a flower painter working in the Birmingham japanning trade.
Harold Herbert Holden RWS, ARCA (Lond.) was an English artist from Birmingham, active in the mid-20th century.
Katherine "Kate" Mary Fryer, RBSA, was an English artist known for her wood engravings. She was the winner of the Hoffman Wood (Leeds) Gold Medal in 1969.
Alicia Louisa Letitia BoyleRBA, RHA, RUA was an Irish abstract marine and landscape artist.
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