January 1878: Scottish Water-Colour Society – Meeting in the Accountants’ Hall, West Nile Street
An article on page three of The Glasgow Herald, on Saturday the 19th of January, 1878, reads:
“SCOTTISH WATER-COLOUR SOCIETY.
A meeting of artists favourable to the formation of a society of painters in water-colours
was held yesterday afternoon in the Accountants’ Hall, West Nile Street—Mr Powell, Dunoon,
presided; and there was a good attendance of artists.
The Interim-Secretary (Mr Smith) read letters of apology from Mr Sam. Bough, R.S.A; Mr
Alexander Fraser, R.S.A.; Mr G. P. Chalmers, R.S.A.; Mr Clark Staunton, R.S.A., and others.
The CHAIRMAN, in addressing the meeting, remarked that water-colour paintings in
Scotland had been quite in the shade, as they were generally exhibited along with oil paintings
and in rooms of the worst possible light. If cultivated, a love of water-colour paintings would
grow; and if properly exhibited people would purchase them. He had no doubt the society
would be a success, and prove remunerative to the members. (Applause.)
Mr GREENLEES said that some people imagined that this society was being got up in
opposition to the Institute, and even to the Royal Academy. It was merely to be a society similar
to such as already existed in Liverpool, Bristol, and other English towns, and he hoped no one
would suppose that it was in opposition to anything.
Mr McTAGGERT (sic) and Mr JOHN SMART, R.S.A., were both of opinion that there could be no
feelings of antagonism to the formation of a water-colour society.
Dr BLATHERWICK moved—’That it is desirable that a society of painters in water-colours be formed
on a similar basis to the water-colour societies of England, having members and associates, to be
called the Scottish Society of Water-Colour Painters, and that a committee of 13 be appointed to carry
out this object.’ Mr WOOLNOTH seconded.
Mr WHITE moved, seconded by Mr BRYDALL, that the following gentlemen be appointed the
committee of the society:—Messrs J. R. Aitken, C. Blatherwick, Sam. Bough, R.S.A; A. K. Brown,
William Carlaw, G. P. Chalmers, R.S.A.; Robert Greenlees, W. E. Lockhart, R.S.A.; J. B. Macdonald,
R.S.A.; William McTaggert (sic), R.S.A.; David Murray, Francis Powell, and John Smart, R.S.A.
Mr GREENLEES moved—’That the committee appointed shall be guided in carrying out the resolutions
by (1) meeting within one month from this date, and selecting 12 additional artists who, along with the
committee, shall thereafter have a meeting and form the society; and (2) the society shall meet within
six months, to adopt rules and elect additional members.’
All the motions were agreed to, and a vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.”
George Fairfull-Smith, September 2025.