Revival of pastel in late nineteenth-century Britain: the transience of a modern medium
Abstract
In the late nineteenth century, the use of pastels underwent a revival and many young
British artists adopted the medium as a new means of expression. This surge in
popularity was marked by three exhibitions dedicated to contemporary works in pastel
held at the Grosvenor Gallery in London between 1888 and 1890. These shows
attracted over three hundred participants and culminated in the formation of the
Society of British Pastellists in 1890, which counted amongst its eminent members
William Stott of Oldham (1857-1900), James Guthrie (1859-1930), George Clausen
(1852-1944) and Elizabeth Armstrong (1859-1912). Despite its auspicious beginnings
this movement was short-lived and the society disbanded the following year. This has
caused scholars to treat the use of pastel by British artists as just a passing fad in the
oeuvres of individual artists and in studies of contemporary stylistic trends. Yet, the
varying involvement of these four artists with the most pioneering art movements in
Britain would suggest that this medium formed an intrinsic part of their move towards
a modern aesthetic. Thus, the diverse approaches of these artists will form a prism
through which to examine the importance of materiality for the development of new
subject matter and stylistic innovations. This study will involve not only a
consideration of the formal properties of these works but also the culture in which they
were produced, exhibited and critically received. Indeed, it is hoped that by situating
these pastels within a wider cultural context that a further understanding of their long-term
significance in the canon of modern art in Britain can be achieved. In this way,
I believe that this study will contribute towards a new position for pastel as a modern
medium that was essential for the invention of new artistic practices at this time.