Catalogue description Papers of Mr Maurice Bradshaw, the Federation of British Artists and associated art societies, 17 Carlton House Terrace

This record is held by City of Westminster Archives Centre

Details of 2245
Reference: 2245
Title: Papers of Mr Maurice Bradshaw, the Federation of British Artists and associated art societies, 17 Carlton House Terrace
Description:

FEDERATION OF BRITISH ARTISTS

 

Formation and history

 

Directors' minutes

 

Reports and correspondence files (mainly of Maurice Bradshaw)

 

Periodicals

 

Property

 

ASSOCIATED ART SOCIETIES AND ORGANISATIONS

 

Art Exhibitions Bureau

 

Art Union

 

Empire Art Loan Exhibitions Society

 

Guild of Aviation Artists

 

Royal British Colonial Society of Artists

 

Royal Drawing Society

 

Royal Institute of Oil Painters

 

Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour

 

Royal Society of British Artists

 

Royal Society of Marine Artists

 

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers

 

Royal Society of Portrait Painters

 

Senefelder Group (wood engravers)

 

Society of Mural Artists

 

Society of Portrait Painters

 

PAPERS RELATING TO ART FUNDING

 

PAPERS OF ART RELATED BUSINESSES

 

PAPERS OF CHARLES ROBERT CHISMAN

 

PAPERS RELATING TO ART EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

 

PAPERS RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS

Date: 1831-1991
Held by: City of Westminster Archives Centre, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

Bradshaw, Maurice, fl 1917-1980, artist

Physical description: 93 files
Immediate source of acquisition:

Records were donated by Mrs L de Winter (daughter of Mr Maurice Bradshaw), Holbrook Park House, Old Holbrook, Horsham in February 2001.

Subjects:
  • Federation of British Artists
  • Arts
  • Artists
Administrative / biographical background:

For many years Maurice Bradshaw had a highly influential role in the promotion of British art, a fact which was recognised in 1977 with the award of a C.B.E. It was in 1926 that Maurice Bradshaw first joined in a partnership to form the Art Exhibitions Bureau whose function was to help painters and present their work to the public. The Bureau originated the idea of circulating exhibitions of the works of contemporary artists. He was jointly responsible for the organisation of the British Artists Exhibitions between 1917 and 1935, founded by Sir Joseph Duveen to assist lesser known British artists. In co-operation with the Foreign Office he helped to arrange exhibitions all over the world as well as in Great Britain. As secretary of the Empire Art Loan Exhibitions Society he worked to remove restrictions upon the overseas exhibition of works of art from national collections. Many exhibitions were sent to countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

 

He acted as secretary of the 1938 exhibition for the Modern Architectural Research Group, which was instrumental to the introduction of modern art to the country. In 1939 he planned the organisation and inauguration of the Society of Marine Artists and in 1963 produced a scheme for the formation of the Society of Wildlife Artists. Until his retirement he was also secretary of the following London art societies, The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, the Royal Society of British Artists, The Royal Society of Portrait Painters, The Royal British Colonial Society of Artists, The Artists of Chelsea, The National Society, The New English Art Club, The Pastel Society, The Society of Aviation Artists, The Society of Graphic Artists, The Society of Mural Painters, The Society of Women Artists and The Senefelder Group.

 

In 1939 Maurice Bradshaw took part in discussions to federate the various art societies, a scheme which was revived in 1959 leading to the formation of the Federation of British Artists. The Federation had offices at 17 Carlton House Terrace and exhibitions were held at the new Mall Galleries. He was appointed Secretary General of the Federation, responsible for the organisation and administration of the Mall Galleries and the societies connected with the Federation. In 1980 he retired and was appointed Governor and Director of the Federation.

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