Manchester Academy of Fine Arts

Established in 1859 the Academy has since then continuously organised exhibitions of high-quality contemporary art in Manchester and throughout the North West. Originally membership was limited to professional painters, sculptors, architects, and engravers who were born or had resided for a period of not less than twelve months within a radius of twenty miles from the Town Hall of Manchester. It was affiliated to the Royal Manchester Institution whose building on Mosley Street is now Manchester Art Gallery. Throughout the 1860’s and 1870’s the annual members’ exhibitions grew in popularity. They offered a rare opportunity for people to see contemporary works of art outside London. In the early 1880’s several members worked in north Wales where they were instrumental in establishing the Royal Cambrian Academy. Distinguished names associated with the society included historical painter Ford Madox Brown; L.S. Lowry, Norman Adams and Anne Redpath. The society consists of mainly professional artists whose objective is to promote the work of its members and other artists. Membership is in excess of a hundred painters, printmakers and sculptors from across the north of England.

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Manchester Academy of Fine Arts: Catalogue
Number of Artists referenced: 1,744