It started in 1823.
Affectionately referred to as ‘The Langham’ by Members, The Artists’ Society and Langham Sketching Club is possibly the oldest of its type in the UK. It started in 1823 when a group of artists met in a rough stable yard in Grays Inn Lane “For General Study from the Life”. The Society was formalised later in 1830.
In the early 1800s many artists’ societies were in existence, their main purpose was to promote exhibitions.
At that time, a number of passionate artists felt that there was a need for a society where professional men could develop life drawing, improve work standards and meet in the company of like minded artists, an ‘academie’ of the old sort. This group of artists were in fact sowing the seed for The Langham as we know it today - a place where life drawing is changing with the times.
A painting by John P Gulich, RI “The Art School” - The Langham’ shows a well devised studio with an illuminated platform for the model.
The Society added ‘Langham Sketching Club’ to its name when it moved to 1 Langham Chambers, All Souls Place, W1, in 1838.
195 years after it began, The Langham opened its doors to women. While The Club had already begun to welcome female guests, there had not been an opportunity to formalise their membership. In keeping with the times while continuing to honour the club’s generous benefactor Francis W Reckitt, lady members were officially incorporated into The Club in 2018. Today there are equal numbers of men and women who enjoy the convivial and friendly atmosphere that the membership cherish above all else.
For over two centuries, The Langham has gathered weekly, interrupted briefly in WW2 when The Club building took a direct hit. It was a momentous decision taken on 16 March 2020 to temporarily suspend studio meetings in support of the government’s measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. Upholding the spirit of The Club, however, Members continued to sketch and share their work via regular, on-line round-robins.
Image: Courtesy of David Eccles
For many years The Langham met weekly at Dilke Street, the home of our historically linked society, the London Sketch Club. Since 2021 the Society has met in the Upper Hall at St. Columba’s, Pont Street, SW1.