Printmakers: The Directory

The Royal Society of Painter‐Printmakers was founded (as the Society of Painter‐Etchers) in 1880 as a reaction to engravers being excluded from exhibiting at the Summer Exhibition of the Royal Academy of Arts. As its prestige grew, the Society was granted a Royal Charter in 1911. This enabled it to offer diplomas to associates and fellows, though “Selection for membership of the society is extremely rigorous” (Foreword). The Society embraces all forms of original printmaking: engraving, linocuts, drypoints, mezzotints, etching, even “pigment inkjet on Somerset enhanced paper”. All are represented in this directory.

According to the publicity flyer, this first...