British Institution for Promoting the Fine Arts in the United Kingdom, founded in 1805. It aimed to: 'open a public exhibition for the sale of the productions of British artists, to excite the emulation and exertions of younger artists by premiums, and to endeavour to form a public gallery of the works of British artists, with a few select specimens of each of the great schools.' Purchased the lease of Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall and opened its first exhibition in February 1806. Acted as a rival to the Royal Academy and gave premiums until 1842. Ceased operations in 1867. Sir George Beaumont acted as one of the directors. ( see Redgrave and Redgrave, A Century of Painters of the Engish School, II, pp.136-163.)