(1879 - 1945)
Painter and later Director of the Tate Gallery, James Bolivar Manson was born in London. While working as a bank clerk, he studied part-time at Heatherley’s School of Art in 1896 and later at Lambeth School of Art. He then attended the Académie Julian in Paris under J. P. Laurens. In 1909 he met Lucien Pissarro who introduced him to the Fitzroy Street Group. In 1911 he became a founder-member and secretary of the Camden Town Group and in 1914, a founder-member of the London Group. From 1915 he exhibited with the New English Art Club, joining in 1927. In 1920 Manson formed the Monarro Group with Lucien Pissarro. His first solo exhibition was held at the Leicester Galleries in 1923. From 1917 to 1930 he was Assistant Keeper at the Tate Gallery, becoming Director from 1930 to 1938. There he established the Tate’s collection of Impressionist and Modern paintings. In 1937 he was embroiled in a libel action by the artist Maurice Utrillo (1883–1955) which led to his resignation. A memorial exhibition of his work was held at the Wildenstein Gallery, London in 1946.
