Grafton Galleries

The Grafton Galleries, frequently called the Grafton Gallery, was a private art gallery in the Mayfair district of London. Established in the early 1890s, it served as a central venue for the London art world, hosting numerous art societies and rotating exhibitions. The gallery holds historical significance for introducing modern French art to Britain, notably through Paul Durand-Ruel's 1905 exhibition, the first major showing of Impressionist paintings in the country, and Roger Fry's groundbreaking Post-Impressionist exhibitions of 1910 and 1912. The gallery ceased art operations around 1930.

The gallery's origins are somewhat uncertain, with some sources tracing an address to Liverpool in 1873. The enterprise was formally incorporated in London as the Grafton Galleries Co Ltd on June 16, 1891, to exhibit art and host concerts and receptions. It opened to the public on February 18, 1893. Francis Gerard Prange served as the first manager. By the early 1900s, French-born caterer Venant Benoist had taken over management, and the space became a popular venue for high-society dinners and dances. Roger Fry acted as an advisor starting in 1905 or earlier, bringing in William Rothenstein to consult on exhibitions. Between 1916 and 1920, the gallery hosted the annual exhibitions of the Allied Artists' Association, organized by Frank Rutter. A Mr. Hurcomb of Piccadilly purchased the lease in 1930, converting the building into an auction house, though occasional exhibitions continued until roughly 1936. The structure sustained damage during the Second World War and was never restored.

Rather than maintaining a permanent collection, the Grafton Galleries functioned as a kunsthalle and event space, hosting a diverse and rotating program of loan exhibitions and group shows. Its scope ranged from Old Master portraits and historical artifacts to contemporary British and foreign art. The gallery regularly hosted the Society of Portrait Painters, the Society of Miniaturists, the Women's International Art Club, and the Ridley Art Club. Exhibitions covered decorative arts, French modernism, Scottish silver, and even musical and dramatic art. The 1894 Fair Women exhibition, featuring 250 historical and contemporary female portraits by artists ranging from Rembrandt to Gainsborough, was the Victorian equivalent of a blockbuster, earning 8,000 pounds. Other notable shows featured Art Nouveau by Siegfried Bing and Rene Lalique, Australian art, and works by the Barbizon and Dutch schools.

While the gallery did not hold a permanent collection, it exhibited several significant works and displays on loan. The downstairs banqueting hall featured the famous Dilettante Society group portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds. The most historically important presentations were the 1905 Impressionist show organized by Paul Durand-Ruel, and Roger Fry's 1910 and 1912 Post-Impressionist exhibitions, which introduced London to works by Paul Cezanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, and Andre Lhote. Other notable temporary displays included eight paintings by Van Gogh, 200 original drawings by Paul Renouard, Spanish Old Masters in 1914, and a major retrospective of Albert Moore's work.

The Grafton Galleries was originally located at 8 Grafton Street in Mayfair, taking its name from this address, with an extensive suite of rooms extending to Bruton Street. The address was commonly cited as Grafton Street to Bond Street. In 1896, the gallery relocated to Bond Street in the heart of the West End. The interior consisted of four interconnected rooms designed with luxurious, modern appointments and excellent lighting conditions, making it a highly desirable venue in the center of London's art scene. The building was designed by architects John Thomas Wimperis and William Henry Arber. After its closure as a gallery, the building was converted into a jazz club and cabaret before later becoming an auction house.

The Grafton Galleries no longer exists as a functioning art venue. Located in the Mayfair district of London, the original building suffered damage during the Second World War and was not restored, effectively ending its physical presence. During its operational years from 1893 to approximately 1930, it was a privately owned commercial gallery and event space accessible to the London public for its various exhibitions and social functions. Today, the gallery is remembered primarily for its pivotal role in the historical reception of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in Britain.