View source for Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox organization
| name                = Royal Miniature Society
| full_name           = Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers
| logo                =
| formation           = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1895}}
| founder             = Alyn Williams
| founding_location   = [[London, England]]
| leader_title        = President
| leader_name         = Ray Winder
| leader_title2       = Patron
| leader_name2        = [[Charles III]]
| website             = {{URL|http://royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}
}}
The '''Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers''', more commonly known as the '''Royal Miniature Society (RMS)''', is an art society founded in 1895 dedicated to upholding and continuing the tradition of [[Miniature art|miniature]] [[Portrait miniature|painting]] and sculpture,<ref>{{Cite web|title=THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MINIATURE PAINTERS SCULPTORS AND GRAVERS - Charity 291389|url=https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/291389|access-date=2020-11-29|website=register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref>  generally meaning the painted [[portrait miniature]], a particular English tradition.
The Society's aims are to "esteem, protect and practise the traditional 16th Century art of miniature work, emphasising the infinite patience needed for its fine techniques."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/index.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref> Since 2002, its patron has been [[Charles III]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers {{!}} Prince of Wales|url=https://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/patronage/royal-society-miniature-painters-sculptors-and-gravers|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.princeofwales.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
The Society was founded in 1896 by Alyn Williams, originally as The Society of Miniature Painters. A [[royal charter]] was granted by [[King Edward VII]] in 1904, and it became the Royal Miniature Society.<ref name="royal-miniature-society.org.uk">{{Cite web|title=The Renaissance of Miniature Painting|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/history-of-miniature-painting.html|access-date=2021-01-15|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref>
To highlight the Society's growing importance, the President's Jewel was commissioned in 1920. This is a large, elaborate silver [[Livery collar|chain of office]] designed and made by Alfred Lyndhurst Pocock which is still worn by the current president at formal functions.
In 1926, the Society's scope was extended to include [[Sculpture|sculptors]] and [[Engraving|graver]]s, and its name was changed by the Royal Command of [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] to become the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers.<ref name="royal-miniature-society.org.uk"/>
Since its foundation, the Society has had ten different presidents, including [[William Blake Richmond|Sir William Blake Richmond]] (1899 to 1907) and [[Raymond Lister]] (1970 to 1980).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Royal Miniature Society Members|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/members.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref> The current president, elected in 2020, is Ray Winder.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ray Winder PRMS|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/ray-winder-prms.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref>
== Exhibitions and awards ==
=== Annual exhibition ===
The Society's annual exhibition of around 650 works is held each year at the [[Mall Galleries]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-30|title=Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers 2019|url=https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/royal-society-miniature-painters-sculptors-gravers-2019|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Mall Galleries|language=en}}</ref> A wide range of subject matter is featured, including portrait, landscape, still life and abstract paintings, in addition to sculpture.
A centennial exhibition, opened by [[Grey Ruthven, 2nd Earl of Gowrie|Lord Gowrie]], was held in 1995 at [[Methodist Central Hall, Westminster|Westminster Central Hall]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1995-11-05|title=Big money for small art|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/big-money-for-small-art-1538549.html|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref>
=== Awards ===
The Society's Gold Memorial Bowl Award, established in 1985, is one of the highest accolades for miniature art in the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elena Baranoff Exhibitions & Awards|url=http://www.elenabaranoff.com/exhibitionsawards.html|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.elenabaranoff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BIOG|url=https://www.rosalindpierson.co.uk/biog|access-date=2020-11-30|website=website-1|language=en}}</ref> Crafted in 18 carat gold by royal jewellers [[Garrard & Co]], the Bowl was a gift to the Society from former president Suzanne Lucas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Award winners|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/awards.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1995-11-05|title=Big money for small art|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/big-money-for-small-art-1538549.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> A silver gilt replica is received by the winning artist.
Other awards include:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Submitting Artwork|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/submitting.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref>
* The Prince of Wales Award for Outstanding Miniature Painting
* The President's Special Commendation
* The Society's Award for the Best Group of Work
* The Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award
* The Bidder and Borne Award
* Peter Charles Booth Memorial Award
* Anita Emmerich Presentation Award
* Anthony J Lester Art Critics Award
* Anthony J Lester Young Artists Award
* Arturi Phillips 'Connoisseur' Award
* The Elizabeth Meek Award
* People's Choice Award
* Joan Cornish Willies Award for Outstanding Traditional Miniature Oil Painting
* Award for Innovation
== Membership ==
An artist is eligible for consideration for Associate Membership (ARMS) if they have had five works accepted in the previous annual exhibition. If all five works submitted for the current exhibition are accepted then the Selection Committee will consider them for election to Associate Membership.
To be considered for election to full Membership (RMS), Associate Members must have five works accepted in three exhibitions running. Six works must be submitted and accepted in the fourth year. The decision is then voted on by the Selection Committee.<ref name=":1" />
== Art form ==
[[Portrait miniature|Miniature portrait]] painting dates back to the 16th century and was introduced by [[artists of the Tudor Court]] including [[Hans Holbein the Younger]], later continued by artists including [[Nicholas Hilliard]], [[Isaac Oliver]] and [[Samuel Cooper (painter)|Samuel Cooper]]. Modern miniature painting respects many of the principles originally set by Hilliard.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Tait|first=Simon|title=Modern heirs of a tradition of vellum and cinnabar|newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/modern-heirs-of-a-tradition-of-vellum-and-cinnabar-7x2bwbrh8g3|access-date=2020-11-29|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
When the Society was founded, the maximum size for a miniature was 12 by 10 inches. Today, the permitted size varies depending on shape and medium, but paintings (including frame and mount) should have a diameter of no more than 4.5 inches. Sculptures should not exceed 8 inches along the longest measurement, including the base.<ref name=":1" />
Elizabeth Meek, who held the post of President between 2004 and 2013, describes working in miniature as the most demanding of all painting genre. Meek names some of the qualities required as, "concentration, stillness of mind and body and a dogged perseverance for perfection."<ref>{{Cite web|title=history of miniature painting|url=http://www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk/history-of-miniature-painting.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.royal-miniature-society.org.uk}}</ref>
Emma Rutherford, of art dealers [[Philip Mould & Company|Philip Mould & Co]], says of the miniature art form, "they are not merely painting made small, the technique is entirely different and comes directly from the discipline of medieval [[Illuminated manuscript|manuscript illumination]]."<ref name=":2" />
==Past members==
* [[Gladys Kathleen Bell]] (1882-1965)
* [[Henry Harding Bingley]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hhbingley.co.uk/gallery4.html |title=Gallery |access-date=2009-09-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008220624/http://www.hhbingley.co.uk/gallery4.html |archive-date=8 October 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Reginald Easton (1807-1892)
*[[Nellie Hepburn-Edmunds|Nellie M. Hepburn-Edmunds]] (1870-1953)
* [[May de Montravel Edwardes]] (1887-1967)
* [[Dudley Hardy]] (1867-1922)
* [[John Hassall (illustrator)|John Hassall]] (1868-1948)
* [[Edith Mary Hinchley]] (1870-1940)
* [[Hal Hurst]] (1865-1938)
* Mrs [[Mabel Lee Hankey]] (1863-1943)
* [[John Mennie]] (1911-1987)<ref name ="Portraits">[http://www.johngmennie.co.uk/miniart.html Back from Hell - Gallery of portraits by John Mennie ]</ref>
* Cecil Watson Quinnell (1868-1932)
* [[Omar Ramsden]] (1873-1939)
* [[Henry Saxon]]<ref name="lucasbook">Lucas Art ''The Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers - One Hundred Years''. (London, 1995). {{ISBN|0-9520456-9-9}}</ref>
* Miss [[Eileen Soper|Eileen Alice Soper]] (1905-1990)
* [[Charles Spencelayh]] (1865-1958)
* [[Cecil Thomas (sculptor)|Cecil Thomas]]
* Charles James Turrell (1846-1932)
* [[Elsie Maud White]] (1889-1978)
*[[Margaret Foote Hawley]]<ref>[[Eleanor Tufts]]; National Museum of Women in the Arts (U.S.); International Exhibitions Foundation (1987). ''American women artists, 1830–1930''. International Exhibitions Foundation for the National Museum of Women in the Arts. {{ISBN|978-0-940979-01-7}}.</ref>
==External links==
*[http://royal-miniature-society.org.uk Royal Miniature Society]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Portrait miniaturists]]
[[Category:Arts organisations based in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Arts organizations established in 1895]]