About the Royal Watercolour Society

The Royal Watercolour Society, founded in 1804, is the oldest and most prestigious watercolour society in the world. The aim of the Society is to bring together artists working in this versatile and beautiful medium, and to promote the language of watercolour painting to an ever widening public. To this end, the Society mounts regular exhibitions at Bankside Gallery, which often tour to other venues outside London. Through a comprehensive programme of courses, talks and demonstrations, the RWS seeks to impart its collective expertise and enthusiasm for the medium. The Society has no public funding and is administered by its Members.

The medium of watercolour (which by our definition embraces all water-based painting) can convey in visual terms both the most delicate and the most powerful feelings. Through drawing and through colour and design it can describe the world in particular ways unlike any other description. Richard Sorrell, Former President

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Honorary Member: HRH The Prince of Wales

RWS Officers

President  David Paskett PRWS

Senior Vice President:  Janet Treloar VPRWS 
Vice President: Simon Pierse VPRWS
Treasurer: Thomas Plunkett ARWS

Chief Hanger: Annie Williams RWS RE

Past Presidents

Richard Sorrell 2006 - 2009
Trevor Frankland 2003 – 2006
Francis Bowyer 2000 – 2003
John Doyle 1996 – 2000
Richard Seddon 1995 – 1996
Leslie Worth 1992 – 1995
Charles Bartlett 1987 – 1992
Maurice Sheppard 1984 – 1987
Ernest Greenwood 1976 – 1984
Andrew Freeth 1974 – 1976
Robert Austin 1957 – 1973
Sir William Russell Flint 1936 – 1956
Sir Herbert Hughes-Stanton 1920 – 1936
Alfred Parsons 1913 – 1920
Sir Ernest Waterlow 1897 – 1913
Sir John Gilbert 1871 – 1897
John Frederick Tayler 1858 – 1870
John Frederick Lewis 1856 – 1858
Anthony Van Dyke Copley Fielding 1831 – 1855
Joshua Cristal 1821 – 1831
George Fennell Robson 1820
Joshua Cristal 1819
John Warwick Smith 1817 – 1818
Joshua Cristal 1816
John Glover 1815
John Warwick Smith 1814
Francis Nicholson 1812 – 1813
Ramsay Richard Reinagle 1808 – 1812
John Glover 1808
William Frederick Wells 1806 – 1807
William Sawrey Gilpin 1804 - 1806

Appeal

The Royal Watercolour Society is seeking funding of £40,000 for the housing and maintenance of its outstanding Collection of 19th and 20th century watercolours. Please look for more information on our COLLECTIONS page, and you may subscribe on line through www.justgiving.com/royalwatercolour.