The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers was a union of professional artists that existed from 1898 to 1925, "To promote the study, practice, and knowledge of sculpture, painting, etching, lithographing, engraving, and kindered arts in England or elsewhere...". It came to be known simply as The International. The society organised exhibitions, some for members only and some open to others, and social events such as musical evenings and soires. The exhibitions were held in a number of London venues, and in other cites around England, including Nottingham and Manchester. Its founder and first president was James McNeill Whistler. On his death, the presidency was taken up by Auguste Rodin, with John Lavery as vice-president. The society contributed £500 towards the cost of Whistler's memorial.
The society was initially incorporated as The Exhibition of International Art Ltd., but soon changed its name to the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. The prospectus issued by the new society read in part:
"… a Society for the promotion of Exhibitions of International Art has been formed, the aim of the organisers being to hold exhibitions of the finest art of the day … in May, June and July at Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, a building which when suitably altered and arranged will be unusually well adapted for that purpose. The Gallery will be known as the International Gallery and a feature of the exhibitions will be the non-recognition of nationality in art …"
Members
Honorary and associate members included:
Paul Wayland Bartlett
Alexander Kellock Brown
Ernest Cole
John Paul Cooper
Nelson Ethelred Dawson
Alfred Drury
John Henry Monsell Furse
Alfred Gilbert
Charles Holroyd
Thomas Stirling Lee
David McGill
Gari Melchers
Constantin Meunier
Ernst Oppler
Glyn Warren Philpot
Alfred William Rich
Charles de Sousy Ricketts
William Rothenstein
Auguste Saint-Gaudens
Kathleen Scott
Charles Shannon
Franz Stuck
James Havard Thomas
John Tweed
Reginald Fairfax Wells
Harry (Henry) Wilson
During World War I, the membership of German and Austrian artists was suspended.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions organised by the society included:
1898: Exhibition of International Art of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May–July
1899: Second Exhibition of The International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Prince's Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, London, May–July
1900: No exhibition, on account of the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900
1901: Third Exhibition of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; Galleries of the Royal Institute, 191 Piccadilly, London, October–December
1904: Fourth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–March
1905: Fifth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
1906: International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers Exhibition; Nottingham Castle Museum
1906: Sixth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
1907: Seventh Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–March
1908: Eighth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
1908: Exhibition of Fair Women; International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers, New Gallery, Regent Street, London
1909: Ninth Exhibition; New Gallery, Regent Street, London, January–February
1909: Exhibition of Fair Women; International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers; New Gallery, Regent Street, London
