George Rowney
George Rowney is a UK supplier of art materials, now merged with the Daler Board Company, to form Daler-Rowney Limited, based in Bracknell, Berkshire.
History
The business was established as T. & R. Rowney in 1783 by brothers Thomas and Richard Rowney as a perfume maker and wig supplier with a shop on Holborn Hill in London, and soon moved into supplying writing materials and then artists' materials. The brothers then went out of partnership, with Richard concentrating on the perfume and wig business, and Thomas on the artists' supplies. In 1806, Thomas's son, Richard, started an apprenticeship in the business and on its completion set up in partnership with his brother-in law, Richard Forster, as Rowney & Forster. On Forster's retirement in about 1832, the business became known as George Rowney & Co. In 1924, the business was incorporated as a limited company, George Rowney & Co Ltd. The company was merged with the Daler Board Company in 1983 to form Daler-Rowney Ltd. Current CEO is Patrick Giraud.[1]
One of the company's successful products was the Birchmore Board, used widely at the turn of the century 1900.
The business has supplied artists including J. M. W. Turner.[2]
References
- ↑ "Directory of artists' suppliers and colourmen, 1650-1939". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ↑ "British Portrait Painters and Artists' Suppliers". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 2008-02-11.