< 1870s / 1890s >

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1880

JANUARY – “The art classes associated with the Manchester Society of Women Painters began work again [today] after the Christmas vacation. Classrooms have secured in Barton House.” (The Guardian, 8 Jan 1880.)

“MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTER – ART CLASSES RE-COMMENCE on Wednesday, 7th. – Prospectus and further information can be had on application to ANNIE L. ROBINSON, hon. sec., No. 10, Barton House, Deansgate.

Manchester Courier, 6 Jan 1880, p1.

APRIL – “MANCHESTER ARTISTS IN THE ROYAL ACADEMY … The examples sent by Miss Dacre are two* choice works exhibited by that lady in the Paris Salon last year, while Miss [Annie L.] Robinson will be well represented by the powerful portrait of her sister artist Miss Dacre, which was exhibited a few weeks since at the Manchester Academy’s exhibition in the Royal Institution.” (Manchester Evening News, 27 Apr 1880, p2) *Only one work is listed in the RA catalogue.

JUNE – ISABEL SINGLED OUT FOR SPECIAL PRAISE – “ROYAL MANCHESTER INSTITUTION EXHIBITION OF WORKS OF ART IN BLACK AND WHITE … Miss Susan Isabel Dacre is a young artist … Manchester may some day feel proud [of] … Miss Dacre … like out great and good Sir Joshua, sees that the portrayal of the human form and face can be associated with something more than mere imitative skill … this portrait … is worth to rank with the best work in the art of portraiture.” (The Manchester Courier, and Lancashire General Advertiser, 4 Jun 1880.)

SEPTEMBER – “MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS. – The CLASSES for the NEXT TERM COMMENCE Tuesday, October 5, 1880. = For particular apply by letter to Miss J. Atkinson, Assistant Secretary, The Laurels, Sale.” (The Guardian, 28 Sep 1880.)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

AN Association, termed the Society of Women Painters, was formed in Manchester some twelvemonth since and the Society proposes to hold an exhibition of works by members and associates. The paintings to be exhibited will include examples of landscape, figure, and genre art, and among the contributions will be sketches of Venice and St. Mark’s. The Society at present is made up of the following members and associates:- Members: Miss S. ISABEL DACRE, president; Miss ANNIE L. ROBINSON, secretary; Miss EMILY ROBINSON, treasurer; Miss E. GERTRUDE THOMSON, Miss ELEANOR S. WOOD, Miss JANE ATKINSON, and Mrs. JULIA POLLITT. Associates: Miss JESSIE POLLITT, Miss FLORENCE MONKHOUSE, Miss FANNY SUGARS, and Miss JESSIE KINGSLEY. These will all contribute specimens of their work. The exhibition will be held in the form of an “At Home” reception on Tuesday, the 30th inst., and the two following days.

The Architect, 27 Nov 1880, p336.

FIRST EXHIBITION OF THE MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS (30 November to 3 December)

• President: S. Isabel Dacre.
• Secretary: Annie L. Robinson.
• Treasurer: Emily Robinson.
• Other members: E. Gertrude Thomson, Eleanor S. Wood, Jane Atkinson, Julia Pollitt.
• Associates: Jessie Marion Kingsley, Jessie Pollitt, Emeline Petrie, Fanny Sugars, Mary Florence Monkhouse.

“Amongst contributions will be some sketches of Venice and of St. Mark’s … [and] examples of landscape, figure and genre art.” (The Guardian, 22 Nov 1880) “… in the studio of the president, Miss S. Isabel Dacre, at Barton House, Deansgate, To-day there will be a second private view, and tomorrow and Friday the pictures will be open for the inspection of the public. There have been eleven contributors, and the works shown are eighty-eight in number, the greater portion of them being in oil. Miss Dacre and Miss A. L. Robinson alone furnish thirty-three oil paintings.” (The Manchester Evening News, 1 Dec 1880, p2.)

“THE SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS. – … gave their first exhibition of pictures yesterday in the studio of the president, Miss S. Isabel Dacre, at Barton House, Deansgate …” (The Manchester Evening News, 1 Dec 1880).

Annie and Isabel go to Italy.

“Miss S. Isabel Dacre and Annie L. Robinson … have gone to pass the winter and persue their studies in the more genial and inspiring climate of Italy. The picture by Miss Robinson, entitled the “Tryst,” or the “Salford Lass,” has been purchased by Mr. Henry Boddington, Jun., for presentation to the Art Gallery at Peel Park, Salford.”” (Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, 1 Jan 1881).

1882

Second Exhibition of the Society of Women Painters.

JANUARY

MANCHESTER SOCIETY WOMEN PAINTERS. The Manchester Society of Women Painters, encouraged by the success of their modest but highly interesting exhibition of last year, are again about to invite the public to inspection of their work. To-day and tomorrow the ladies will receive their friends, and on Thursday the exhibition will be open to the public. The exhibitors are eleven in number, and the work they show is both varied and interesting. We defer detailed notice, and content ourselves for the present by saying that the members contributing are [1] Miss Isabel Dacre, [2] Miss Annie L. Robinson, [3] Miss E. S. Wood, [4] Miss Jano Atkinson, [5] Mrs. E. Beresford and [6] Mrs. Julia Pollitt. Four associates—Miss [7] Fanny Sugars, [8] Miss Florence Monkhouse, [9] Miss Jessie Pollitt, and [10] Miss Jessie Kingsley. There is also some work by [11] Miss Isabel Scott. The visitors will find that the pleasant impression left by the exhibition of last year will deepened by that now opening.

Manchester Evening News, 17 Jan 1882, p3.

MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS … is necessarily only a small association … Miss S. Isabel Dacre is well represented. She has several firmly painted and characteristic portraits, a number of careful Roman studies, amongst which we may name that of Borghese Gardens, some sketches from Brittany, and a large work which, though simply styled “Helen,” is evidently a portrait study, but one of a highly poetical and pleasing character … Miss Dacre may be congratulated on the quality of her contributions. / Miss A. L. Robinson has plumed her wings for a bold flight. In the “Metaphor of Spring, and Youth and Morning,” she has endeavoured to give, in “a vision of Incarnate April,” a symbol of the youth of the world alike in nature and in humanity. The clear-skinned, bright-eyed girl is a fitting emblem of the hope and beauty of the spring time. “Il Frate” is a large and vigorous portrait or one of the Carmelite brotherhood. On a smaller scale, but equally careful in workmanship, is the portrait of the Marchioness of Tavistock. There are several artistic reminiscences of Florence. An attempt in another field in the picture of Prosperine gathering flowers in the Vale of Essex. The maiden is supposed to be invoking the universal mother –
“Sacred goddess, Mother Earth,
Thou from whom immortal bosom
Gods and men and beasts have birth,
Leaf and blade and bud and blossom:
Breathe their influence most divine
On thine own child Prosperine. [Shelley.]
It may be doubted whether Miss Robinson has succeeded in catching the full afflatus of the classical spirit. Certainly she is more at home in interpreting the poetry and inspiration of our own age.

THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 18 Jan 1882, p2.

Works on display included:

• Annie:
  • 21. A Metaphor of Spring and youth and morning: a Vision of Incarnate April (£105) “… when finished, is intended for exhibition at the Royal Academy” (Manchester Weekly Times and Examiner, 28 Jan 1882).
  • 22. Florentine Mother and Child (£73 10s).
  • 23. Il Frate (£63). “Miss Robinson’s fine portrait … will be sent to the forthcoming exhibition of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts at the Royal Institution” (Manchester Weekly Times and Examiner, 28 Jan 1882).
  • 24. Proserpine.
  • 25. Portrait, May, daughter of H. Worsley, Esq.
  • 26. Portrait, The Marchioness of Tavistock.
  • 27. Santa Croce, Florence (£20).
  • 28. On the Arno, Florence.
  • 29. In the Studio.
  • 30. Interior – San Miniato, Florence.
  • 31. Pulpit – San Miniato, Florence.
  • 32. Mother and Child (£15 15s).
  • 33. Portrait of a Lady.
  • 34. Field of Wild Anemones.
  • 35. Mother and Child (£10 10s).
  • 36. Interior – San Miniato, Florence (£10 10s).
  • 37. Piazza – Santa Croce, Florence (£10 10s).
  • 38. Portrait.
• Eleanor S. Wood
  • 39. The Corner Stall (£42).
  • 40. Lilacs (£63).
  • Apple Blossom (£10 10s).
  • Peach Blossoms (£15 15s).
  • Oranges and Christmas Roses (£10 10s).
  • Lover’s Leap, Buxton (£3 3s).
  • Sketch, Bois du Boulogne (£2 2s).
  • Two sketches (£2 2s).
  • Pomegranites and Grapes (£7 7s).
• Jane Atkinson
  • Roses (£2 2s).
• Emily Beresford.
  • The Shadow on the Wall (£13 12s).
• S. Isabel Dacre.
  • 13. Archway of a Viaduct (£10 10s).
  • 14. Sketch (£10 10s).
  • 15. Portrait – Mrs. Blakeley.
  • 16. Loretto (£15 15s).
  • 17. Portrait – J. D. Swinnerton.
  • 18. Group of Sketches from Brittany.
  • 19. Group of Sketches from Brittany.
  • 20. Market Day – Dol.
• Julia Pollitt.
  • Household Treasures (£15 15s).
• Isabel C. Scott
  • Primulas (£7 7s).
  • Christmas Roses (£7 7s).
• Fanny Sugars.
  • On the Seine, near Paris (£5 5s).
  • On the Seine, near Paris (£4 4s).

The Manchester Guardian, 21 Jan 1882; Manchester Weekly Times and Examiner, 28 Jan 1882.

[Numbered works in the above list are taken from open pages of the contemporary exhibition catalogue, photographed at the Painting Light and Hope exhibition, Manchester Art Gallery, 2018.]

The second exhibition of the Manchester Society of Women Painters, at the Old Town Hall, closed yesterday evening … [All the sales] realising £479 18s. The picture by Miss Annie L. Robinson, “The Vision of Spring,” … has been sold for 100 guineas. We are informed that immediately after the sale a well know picture collector made an offer for its purchase.

Manchester Weekly Times and Examiner, 28 Jan 1882.

Other artists mentioned: Jane Atkinson, Emily Beresford, Julia Pollitt, Isabel C. Scott, Fanny Sugars, Eleanor S. Wood. (The Guardian, 21 Jan 1882; unidentified newspaper, 5 Jan 1882.)

MARCH

Return from Italy.

Miss Annie L. Robinson has been to Italy, and has made good use of her visit. We have before noted the wonderful influence of Italian art and climate upon some of our local artists; they seem to enter on a new lease of artistic life, they see colour and light, and naturally and rightly forsake the grey and sombre influence of English climate. This effect of Italian climate and art traditions is demonstrated to a remarkable degree the picture this year exhibited by Miss Robinson, representing “Florentine Mother and Bambino.” In this canvas we see the result of a study of the Italian Renaissance; whilst the subject is essentially modern, representing Italian mother caressing her infant wrapped in peculiar garments, there is all the force and colour quality of that immortal school of Florentines whose works marked a distinct epoch in the history of art. Miss Robinson has achieved an artistic triumph and produced certainly the best work exhibited this year by the members of the Manchester Academy.

Manchester Courier, 1 Mar 1882, p3.

JULY – “Miss Robinson, Miss Dacre, and Miss Atkinson [have] been working during the spring at Clovelly, and Miss E. G. Thompson near Barmouth.” (The Artist and Journal of Home Culture, 1 Jul 1882, p209.)

1883

MARRIAGE TO JOSEPH SWYNNERTON

[Note: The Guardian, 7 Jul 1923, “Miss Robinson left Manchester for a time, went to Paris, worked in London, and afterwards went to Italy, painting for some time in Rome, where she met Mr. Swynnerton, whom she married”.]

Charles Swinnerton, in a letter dated 26th June 1883 to his son, Mark, and daughter-in-law, Sarah, wrote “Joseph is to be married on the 6th of next month to a lady artist Miss Annie Robinson of Manchester. She is highly educated and is a verv clever artist painter. They are to be married in London. “

John Swynnerton in The Swinnerton Saga – The Journal of the Swinnerton Society, 13(8), Dec 2008.

6 July – “… [Annie] married Mr Joseph W. Swynnerton, the well known artist” (The Queen, 15 Mar 1890, p371) … “6th July 1883 at the parish church in the District of St Mark, St Marylebone, London, after banns. The witnesses were her friend Susan Isobel Dacre [spelling as in article] and Paul W. Chapman. Annie’s address was 5 Langham Chambers and Joseph’s was 23 Alma Square. Annie was given no occupation in the marriage certificate and her father was listed as Frank Robinson, solicitor” (Journal of the Swinnerton Society, 13(6), Dec 2008, p147).

SEPTEMBER

22 September – THE MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS propose to HOLD an EXHIBITION of their WORK in October. – Further particulars can be obtained on application to S. ISABEL DACRE, Altrincham, Cheshire.

Third Exhibition of the Society of Women Painters – Annie living in Rome.

NOVEMBER – “The Manchester Society of Women Painters will hold their third annual exhibition next week in the studio of the president, Miss Susan Dacre, in South King-Street. The exhibition will open on Tuesday for private view, and afterwards to the public. The chief exhibitors will be Miss Dacre, Miss Annie L. Robinson, Miss E. G. Thomson, Miss Atkinson, and other members and students of the Society. Miss Robinson, who is now living in Rome, sends several interesting works; and Miss Thomson will exhibit a large cartoon of Britomart* defending the Red Cross Knight – one of a series of stained-glass designs she has in hand for the Women’s College at Cheltenham. The exhibition promises to be one of considerable interest.” [* A character in Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene (1590), a female knight.] (The Guardian, 17 Nov 1883.)

“… Miss Robinson, who is now living in Rome, sends several interesting works [to the third exhibition of the Society of Women Painters] …” (The Guardian, 17 Nov 1883).

“The president of the society, Miss Dacre, is seen at her very best in the capital portrait of M. Guillaux, a French artillery officer, in which drawing and colour are very powerful … Mrs. Swinnerton (née Miss Annie L. Robinson) send from Rome … “The Reading Girl.” “Oleander,” and a large fine seascape, “The Cruel Sea.” (The Manchester Evening News, 23 Nov 1883.)

“… now open in the studio at 10, South King-street … so much good and strong colour in so small an exhibition. This result is largely due to Miss Isabel Dacre‘s contributions … It is a great pity [Isabel Dacre‘s] portrait of M. Guillaux, a captain in the French artillery, arrived from France too late for the autumn exhibition … [He is] standing in an easy attitude, but still erect, as becomes the soldier, and looking straight at the spectator. He holds a cigarette in one hand, and there is an entire absence of pose or stiffness in the figure, which is characterised by the most masculine simplicity … It fulfils Fromentin’s great requisite of a good figure – it has a back to it … it is difficult to speak too highly of Miss Dacre‘s really remarkable contributions as a whole. Other contributions by Miss Dacre are “La Rêveuse,” a seated figure in white … a clever landscape study of the gorse-clad “Court Hill, Clovelly,” two portraits of children, and a large and ambitious picture, “Watching the Swans” … it is difficult to speak too highly of Miss Dacre‘s really remarkable contributions as a whole. Miss Annie Robinson does not send so many comtributions as usual, and her large seascape – “The Cruel Sea” – is rather the promise and forshadowing of a picture – a beautiful one, it is true – than a picture. But her “Oleander” has only one fault, that it reminds one too strongly of Mr. Alma Tadema. … There is some charming work in the “Reading Girl” …” (The Guardian, 22 Nov 1883.)

Other artists mentioned: Miss Jane Atkinson, Mrs. Beresford, Miss N. Butterworth, Miss Crabtree, Miss Edgar, Miss J. M. Kingsley, Mrs. Magan, Miss M. F. Monkhouse, Mrs. Morgan, Miss Pitcairn, Miss Jessie Pollitt, Miss Fanny Sugars, Miss F. Thomas, Miss E. G. Thomson, Miss Eleanor S. Wood, Miss M. A. Wroe, Miss Mary McNicoll Wroe. (The Guardian, 22 Nov 1833; The Manchester Evening News, 23 Nov 1883.)

1884

CORRECTION. / TO THE EDITOR OF THE DAILY POST. / SIR, - A cutting from your paper has been forwarded to me with my picture, No. 864, in the Royal Academy is entitled "Don't." That word is a misprint for "Danaë," an errr for which the catalogue is responsible, and which will be corrected in the second edition. - Yours, &c., / ANNIE L. ROBINSON. [Liverpool Daily Post, p7, col. 8].

JULY – Annie and Isabel elected as full members of the Manchester Academy – the first women ever appointed (The Guardian, 7 Jul 1923; Manchester City News, 15 Oct 1910, p5).

1885

JANUARY

STUDIO, 10, South King-street. - The Elementary and Life Classes BEGIN January 10th, at 10 a.m. - For particulars apply to Miss I. Dacre, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 to 12. (Manchester Courier, 6 Jan 1885, p1.)

JULY – The president of the Manchester Society of Women Painters (Miss S. Isabel Dacre) has issued cards for an “at home” at the Studio in King-street on Tuesday and Wednesday next. The members and associates of the society will exhibit some of their recent work. (Manchester Times, 11 Jul 1885, p5).

MANCHESTER SOCIETY OF WOMEN PAINTERS. The picture “Through the Orchard,” was inadvertently ascribed to Miss Dacre, instead of Miss Annie L. Robinson. The bronze bust by Mr. Swynnerton is of Mrs. H. Boddington, jun., not Mr. Boddington.

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 15 Jul 1885, p2.

DECEMBER

STUDIO, 10, South King-street. - The Elementary and Life Classes BEGIN January 5th, at 10 a.m. - For particulars apply to Miss I. Dacre, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 to 12. (Manchester Courier, 29 Dec 1885, p1.)

1887

FEBRUARY – Spring Exhibition … Manchester Academy of Fine Arts … sales … No. 305, “The Swans,” S. Isabel Dacre, £157. 10s” (Manchester Evening News, 25 Feb 1887).

APRIL – “The Society of Lady Artists — which now holds its annual exhibition at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly — has succeeded this year in bringing together between five and six hundred pictures … Miss Annie L. Robinson most powerfully painted study of children, Red Rose in White Rose Garden” (271), and a renamed work, Danae (336) country-girl, with sticks in her apron, finding doubtful shelter under that shrub which is said never to be out of blossom …” (Illustrated London News, 2 Apr 1887, p25).

THE SOCIETY OF LADY ARTISTS … “Danae” (336), by Miss A. L. Robinson, is unquestionably the strongest realization of an affect of light on the figure, but the colour in many places is somewhat dirty and heavy … (The Saturday Review, 2 Apr 1887).

1888

In [1888] Mrs. Swynnerton – elected an A.R.A. in 1922 – painted his [Hubert Parry’s] daughters.

https://archive.org/details/hubertparryhisli0002char/page/124/mode/2up?q=%22Mrs+Swynnerton%22

* Hubert Parry, 1848-1914, composer, best known for Jerusalem (1916).

OCTOBER – “Joseph and his wife are in London. In fact he has left Rome as a residence and has taken a studio in London. They come over here now and then. His address is – 5 The Avenue, Fulham Road, London.” (Letter from Charles Swinnerton to his son, 8 Oct 1888, Journal of the Swynnerton Society, 13(6), p147.)

NOVEMBER – “WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-first annunal meeting in connection with the Women’s Suffrage Society was held yesterday in the … Manchester Town Hall … Mr. Alderman Bennett presided. There were also … Mrs. Fawcett … Miss Beaker … Miss Dacre … Mr. Joseph Atkinson, Miss Atkinson …” (Manchester Times, 3 Nov 1888, p5).

THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS … MANCHESTER … THE NOMINATIONS … SECULAR CANDIDATES … Lydia Ernestine Becker, 155, SHrewsbery-street, Old Trafford, journalist, nominated by Susan Isabel Dacre and Mary F. Monkhouse. (The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 7 Nov 1888.)

1889

… a member of the Society of Women Artists since 1889 …

Annie and Isabel sign the Declaration in Favour of Women’s Suffrage.

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< 1870s / 1890s >

Page last updated 30 Aug 2025 – added age estimation under 1880.