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Group portrait of the Sketching Society ('The Critical Moment')

The Sketching Society was just one of several artist groups in the nineteenth century but was unique for its longevity. The Society and other groups, like the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, offered artists an opportunity to informally network, learn, and improve their work.

Founded by Francis Stevens, Alfred Edward Chalon and John James Chalon in 1808, the Sketching Society was active until 1851. Membership was limited to eight, with penalties for missing meetings. The group gathered each Friday at one of the members’ homes, where the evening’s host would pick a subject for the members to sketch.

The subjects chosen by the Society were usually scenes from history or literature, such as the Sha...

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P1526

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