British Institution

The British Institution for Promoting the Fine Arts in The United Kingdom was a private English art association that was founded in 1805 in London. You should be showing works by both living as deceased artists.

The British Institution was founded not by artists, but by art-loving aristocrat. They appointed the art dealer William Seguier, who later Surveyor of the Kings 's Pictures and first director of the National Gallery, when established in 1824 was to their head.

The British Institution organizing annually an exhibition of works by living artists in the spring of 1813 and a second exhibition with works by old masters in the summer. The selection of works followed a conservative tastes and kept strictly to the genre hierarchy. One aim was, among others, the promotion of history painting, which was regarded as the highest standing, as opposed to popular at that time in the art market genre scenes and portraits. Therefore, the British Institution, followed not the artistic development in the UK. As a result the number of visitors declined in the modern exhibition, the exhibition of old masters enjoyed consistent popularity.

The British Institution also awarded prizes to artists, mainly for historical ~ and battle paintings. You also awarded orders and bought paintings, the National Gallery and other institutions such as the Royal Hospital Chelsea and Greenwich Hospital were given. For churches religious works were purchased.

1867, the British Institution was dissolved.