British Institution

The British Institution was a private art society in London, founded in 1805 and based at 52 Pall Mall. Run by connoisseurs and members of the nobility rather than practising artists, it was formed to exhibit the work of living and deceased artists.

It held what are regarded as the first regular temporary exhibitions of Old Master paintings, showing modern works in spring and Old Masters in summer, the latter beginning in 1813 and growing to include Dutch, Flemish, Italian and Spanish schools. The institution closed in 1867 when its lease expired.