Fine Art Society

The Fine Art Society are art dealers in New Bond Street in the West End of London since 1876. The gallery pioneered exhibitions by a single artist, including James McNeill Whistler in 1880.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.511662135180
Longitude: -0.143834351620

View on the COVE Master Map

Timeline of Events Associated with Fine Art Society

Date	Event			Manage
May 1877	Grosvenor Gallery inaugural exhibition Whistler exhibits eight oil paintings, including Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, at the inaugural exhibition of the Grosvenor Gallery, established by Sir Coutts Lindsay and his wife as a venue for art of the Aesthetic and Pre-Raphaelite schools. Image: Self-Portrait of James McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Gray: Portrait of the Painter, c. 1872 (Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts). This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired. Articles Julie Codell, “On the Grosvener Gallery, 1877-90″ Nicholas Frankel, “On the Whistler-Ruskin Trial, 1878″
2 Jul 1877	Ruskin attacks Whistler in Fors Clavigera Ruskin attacks Whistler and his paintings in the pages of Fors Clavigera, writing that “[f]or Mr. Whistler’s own sake, no less than for the protection of the purchaser, Sir Coutts Lindsay ought not to have admitted works into the gallery in which the ill-educated conceit of the artist so nearly approached the aspect of willful imposture. I have seen, and heard, much of Cockney impudence before now; but never expected to hear a coxcomb ask two hundred guineas for flinging a pot of paint in the public’s face.” Image: Portrait of John Ruskin. This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired. Articles Julie Codell, “On the Grosvener Gallery, 1877-90″ Nicholas Frankel, “On the Whistler-Ruskin Trial, 1878″
28 Jul 1877	Whistler's libel action against Ruskin On 28 July 1877, Whistler initiated a libel action against Ruskin. Image: Self-Portrait of James McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Gray: Portrait of the Painter, c. 1872 (Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts). This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired. Articles Julie Codell, “On the Grosvener Gallery, 1877-90″ Nicholas Frankel, “On the Whistler-Ruskin Trial, 1878″
25 Nov 1878	Whistler-Ruskin trial opens Law suit for libel opened on 25 November 1878 at London’s Courts of Justice, with Whistler as litigant, claiming damages of £1000 from Ruskin. The verdict was awarded to Whistler after a trial lasting eight hours (the jury deliberated for another two), but as importantly, Whistler was awarded only one farthing in damages and no costs. Image: Self-Portrait of James McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Gray: Portrait of the Painter, c. 1872 (Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts). This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired. Articles Julie Codell, "“On the Grosvener Gallery, 1877-90″ Nicholas Frankel, “On the Whistler-Ruskin Trial, 1878″
20 Feb 1885	Whistler’s “10 O’Clock” lecture On 20 Feb 1885, James McNeill Whistler gave his “10 O’Clock” lecture, Piccadilly, London, attacking social use of art. Part of a longer battle that included Whistler’s libel suit against John Ruskin in 1878; Whistler did not name Ruskin but alluded to a Philistine “Sage” who misled the public on art. Image: Self-Portrait of James McNeill Whistler, Arrangement in Gray: Portrait of the Painter, c. 1872 (Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Institute of Arts). This image is in the public domain in the United States because its copyright has expired. Articles Amy Woodson-Boulton, “The City Art Museum Movement and the Social Role of Art” Nicholas Frankel, “On the Whistler-Ruskin Trial, 1878″