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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] A gallery and set of offices for the Birmingham Society of Arts was built behind a fine neo-classical portico in New Street by architect Thomas Rickman 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. Members of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "RBSA".
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 1843 the Birmingham School of Art was founded as a separate institution, falling under municipal control from 1877.
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]
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]
In 2014, the gallery celebrated its bicentenary since its first exhibition. This was marked by an exhibition from the 8 October -15 November, called A Place For Art, exploring the gallery's 200-year history of displaying works of contemporary art.
Many of the Society's presidents were notable artists. They include: [7]
The RBSA continues its core activities today as an independent society promoting artists in the Birmingham area and exhibiting their work. It also runs a series of demonstrations, as well as adult and family friendly workshops and school programmes. The Society also has a permanent collection of over 600 works, including pieces by illustrious figures from its past such as David Cox and Edward Burne-Jones.
Artists can apply to become Associates, subject to majority vote by existing members. Active associates may then apply to become Members, again subject to a majority vote.
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 Edward Coley Burne-Jones, 1st Baronet, was an English painter and designer associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's style and subject matter.
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.
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.
Joseph Edward Southall RWS NEAC RBSA was an English painter associated with the Arts and Crafts movement.
John Roddam Spencer Stanhope was an English artist associated with Edward Burne-Jones and George Frederic Watts and often regarded as a second-wave pre-Raphaelite. His work is also studied within the context of Aestheticism and British Symbolism. As a painter, Stanhope worked in oil, watercolor, fresco, tempera, and mixed media. His subject matter was mythological, allegorical, biblical, and contemporary. Stanhope was born in Cawthorne, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, and died in Florence, Italy. He was the uncle and teacher of the painter Evelyn De Morgan and encouraged then unknown local artist Abel Hold to exhibit at the Royal Academy, which he did 16 times.
Samuel Lines was an English designer, painter and art teacher, and an early member of the Birmingham School of landscape painters.
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 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.
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