History of the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers
The first reference to the Guild (Fraternity or Mystery) of Painters is found
in 1283 and they amalgamated with the Stainers just after St Luke’s Day 1502.
The Company received Royal Charters from Queen Elizabeth I in 1589, King James
II in 1685, King George VI in 1939 and the present Queen in 1981.
What was the original work of a Painter and of a Stainer? The Painters applied
colour to solid materials such as stone, plaster, wood or metal and the Stainers
applied colour to woven materials such as canvas. Over the years the Company
became more involved with Fine Art whilst still carrying out decorative work to
buildings and ceremonial flags and banners. This Craft work expanded to include
graining, marbling, gilding and restoration.
In 1532 the Serjeant-Painter to King Henry VIII bequeathed his house in Little
Trinity Lane to his brother Painter-Stainers as a Hall for the Company. This
Hall was destroyed in the 1666 Great Fire of London, and the rebuilt Hall was
destroyed in the Second World War and again rebuilt on the same site in 1961.
In its long history the Company has had many distinguished members, particularly
in the artistic world. Since the election of Sir Joshua Reynolds, it has been
a tradition that every President of the Royal Academy is elected to the Court
of Assistants.
Despite the changed roles of many of the Livery Companies formed from medieval
Guilds, the Painters’ Company continues its purpose of fostering and encouraging
excellence in the Fine and Decorative Arts and Crafts.
The Painters’ Company Charity raises funds to provide prizes and bursaries annually
and to promote the education of artists and craftsmen in many other ways. The
recipients are mainly students at no fewer than 70 colleges and schools.
For more information about the livery companies and the City of London please
visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/corporation/leisure_heritage/livery