After the Royal Academy the RBA is oldest exhibiting society in Britain, founded in 1823 when a group of artists met at the Freemasons’ Tavern in Lincoln Inn Fields to discuss the establishment of a new society. The society was named the Society of British Artists and its first members included famous painters such as David Roberts, John Glover and Thomas Heaphy who was elected the first President. The first exhibition took place in 1824 in a building designed by John Nash in Suffolk Street off Pall Mall. Many important artists served as Presidents of the society in the 19th century including William Clarkson Stanfield and David Roberts . In 1886 the American painter James McNeil Whistler was elected President. He was a controversial figure and attempted to modernise the society, reducing the number of pictures exhibited and inviting more progressive artists to join. Needless to say, the older members objected and Whistler was voted out. On leaving the 1887 AGM with his group of disciples, Whistler commented ‘The artists are leaving, the British remain !’ However during his Presidency he gained the Royal assent and the society became the Royal Society of British Artists. Since Whistler there have been many distinguished Presidents including Walter Sickert, Sir Frank Brangwyn and Sir Alfred East. More recently Peter Greenham, Tom Coates and Colin Hayes have acted as Presidents. The society is proud of its history and continues to flourish under its President Mick Davies. Our annual exhibitions at the Mall Galleries in March are always well attended and sales in 2021 reached a record high! Election to the society is competitive and there are always more applicants than places available.
