Royal Watercolour Society Diploma Collection

The Society's Diploma Collection was founded following a proposal made in 1860 that each newly elected Member present a picture on his election to the Society. After the granting of the Society's Diploma in 1881 these pictures became known as Diploma Works although the Collection also includes works from other sources.

The Collection now numbers some 900 items, mostly individual watercolour drawings, although the RWS has also accumulated works in other media including oil paintings as well as etchings, engravings and sculpture. There is considerable variety in the work: represented in the Collection are such diverse artists as John Varley, David Cox, Peter De Wint, Samuel Palmer, Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Sir Laurence Alma Tadema, John Singer Sargent, Joseph Southall, Dame Laura Knight, David Jones, Stanley Roy Badmin, Patrick Procktor, Leslie Worth and Ken Howard. Non-Members represented include George Romney and David Roberts.

Royal Watercolour Society Archive

Minute books, catalogues and sale records date back to the foundation of the Society in 1805 and continue to the present day. The Jenkins Papers are an important collection of correspondence and papers brought together by Joseph John Jenkins who was Secretary to the Royal Watercolour Society from 1854 to 1864. Among them are files on more than one hundred artists with significant material relating to Members such as Samuel Palmer, William Henry Hunt and David Cox. Other records include sketchbooks of William Callow, Alfred Parsons and Joseph Southall, and the personal papers of Edward Bawden. The collections are available by appointment with the archivist. Researchers are advised to consult The Business of Watercolour, a Guide to the Archives of the Royal Watercolour Society (Ashgate 1997) by Simon Fenwick and Greg Smith.

A Work from the RWS Archive

Shipping by a Quay
George Chambers (1803 – 1840)

George Chambers was the son of a Whitby sailor and went to sea when he was ten. His first artistic work was to decorate the brig Equity on which he served an apprenticeship. Ill health made a career as a sailor impossible so he returned to Whitby to become a house painter and, eventually, a professional artist. He was elected to the Society of Painters in Water Colours (the RWS) in 1834. Regarded as one of the most accurate and poetical of marine artists, William IV invited George Chambers to Windsor Castle in order to view his sketches. The visit was recounted by John Watkins in his biography of the artist: ‘Chambers made his obeisance as well as he could, but the Royal William soon put him at his ease by the familiarity of his address. “Well, Mr. Chambers,” said he – “how dy’e do? – I’ve been expecting you. Let me see what you have brought.” Chambers opened his portfolio of sketches, and turned them over to the King’s view. “Ah, very good, very good,” said William. “I’ll go and bring Adelaide – there is a good light here – she can see them very well.” With that he walked away, and presently returned, leading the Queen, arm in arm. “This is Mr. Chambers,” he said – “he has brought his sketches for you to look at – and I would like to see your choice.” Taking up a sketch of a storm scene, he said – “I would choose that!” The Queen replied – “I don’t like that – it is too terrible.” “Oh, ma’am,” he said, with a smile – “we sailors like such subjects best – eh, Mr. Chambers?” The Queen bought a couple of his drawings. She was a nice little woman, said Chambers afterwards, and the King was a jolly good fellow.’

Email the RWS Archivist - archives@banksidegallery.com  

Appeal

The RWS, as a registered charity, is seeking funding for the housing and maintenance in the best conditions of its outstanding collection of some 900 watercolours and drawings. This goes back 200 years to the Society’s foundation but became particularly important from 1860 when all newly elected members contributed a work.

We need to raise £40,000 to “bring home” the Society’s Diploma Collection and create a secure room for it adjacent to the recently equiped Archive Room on our own premises at the Bankside Gallery. This will reduce our overheads by £4,500 a year and house our Collection with the Archive under one roof. It will, in keeping with our constitution and charitable aims, make this important collection of watercolours, drawings and related documents accessible to students, researchers and to all who care for watercolours and their history. 

The RWS  would be grateful for any financial support. Please contact archives@banksidegallery.com / 020 7928 7521.