Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers

In the mediaeval period, the Painters applied colour to solid objects such as wood, stone and metal; the Stainers applied colour to woven fabrics. The painting of flags, streamers, banners and leather (and much later, wall paper) was the province of the Stainers; the Painters decorated interiors of buildings, particularly churches and painted saddle.

The earliest reference to the Stainers is of their involvement in a riot in Cheapside in 1268; the Painters were involved in a violent affray in the City in 1327. The first of the company's own records (other than deeds) is an inspeximus in 1466 by the mayor and aldermen of the Painters' new ordinances, which is kept at the hall (the Library has a photographic copy).

The Painters and Stainers united in 1502; the company is now 28th in precedence. The joint company was incorporated by charter in 1581, but unusually is now governed by the new charter of James II in 1685 which conferred powers of controlling the trade in the City, Westminster and six miles around.

Several prominent artists have been members including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir Godfrey Kneller and Sir Peter Lely.

The hall is on the west side of Little Trinity Lane and was left to the company in 1532 by Sir John Browne, serjeant-painter to Henry VIII. This building was destroyed in the Great Fire and rebuilt in 1670. With some alterations, additions and repair this hall survived until 1941. The post-war premises, re-opened in 1961, were extended to cover land on Huggin Hill.