Our Art Scene Blog takes us on a journey back in time…

What if your local art supply store had been around for more than 170 years?

And what if generations of artists had walked through its doors looking for the perfect pigment, paper, brush, or simply a little inspiration?

Welcome to L. Cornelissen & Son, one of London’s legendary art supply stores and a fascinating little piece of art history.

It Started With a Revolution

The story begins with Louis Cornelissen, a Belgian lithographer who was living in Paris during a period of tremendous political upheaval. Following the 1848 Revolution, Louis moved to London and began working with lithographic colors and supplies.

And here’s where the story gets especially fun: legend has it that J.M.W. Turner encouraged Louis to move to London, telling his friend that it would be a good place to practice his trade.

Whether or not the Turner story is completely true, we love it. Because imagine getting career advice from one of the great painters of the 19th century!

Louis first established himself in Drury Lane before moving to Great Queen Street in 1855, where the Cornelissen business began its long history.

From Lithography to Artists’ Wonderland

Originally, Cornelissen specialized in materials for lithography and printing. But as technology changed and printing became increasingly mechanized, the family adapted.

They began expanding their inventory to include pigments, paints, brushes, papers, canvases, varnishes, gilding materials, and all sorts of specialized supplies for artists.

By 1881, Louis was firmly established as an artists’ colourman, and in 1884, the business officially became known as L. Cornelissen & Son.

And these weren’t just ordinary art supplies.

Cornelissen became known for sourcing unusual and specialized materials from across Europe and beyond. Artists could find the kinds of pigments and materials that allowed them to actually make and prepare their own colors – a far cry from grabbing a tube of paint off a shelf today.

In fact, historical records show that the company was already winning prize medals in 1867 and 1872, just a few decades into its story.

A True Family Business

And the “Son” in L. Cornelissen & Son wasn’t just clever branding.

The business really was passed down through the family.

Louis’s son, Louis Dieudonné Jules Cornelissen, joined the business, followed by his sons Louis Douglas Cornelissen and Leonard “Len” Cornelissen. By 1921, both were working for the family company—one as a bookkeeper and the other overseeing lithographic papermaking.

Three generations of Cornelissens helped keep the business going.

But eventually, that family chapter came to an end. Len Cornelissen, the last member of the family involved in the business, died in 1977, and the shop closed.

Then came an unexpected plot twist.

The Comeback

Just two years later, in 1979, the business was revived by Nicholas Walt, who helped preserve the character and philosophy of the original Cornelissen shop.

In 1988, Cornelissen moved to its current home at 105 Great Russell Street, near the British Museum.

And here’s one of the coolest details: the shop still maintains its Victorian fittings. Walk inside, and you’re not simply shopping for art supplies. You’re stepping into a space with a visual connection to the artists and craftsmen who came before us.

Why Artists Still Love It

Today, you can find everything from traditional pigments and oil colors to papers, brushes, gilding materials, printmaking supplies, and wonderfully obscure materials. But maybe that’s what makes Cornelissen so special.

It’s a reminder that the materials we use to make art have stories, too. They’re tools in a creative tradition that stretches back generations.

And sometimes, the best part of being an artist is remembering that you’re not creating in isolation. You’re participating in a very long, wonderfully messy, endlessly creative history.

Art Facts 101 takeaway: Great art doesn’t just come from inspiration. It comes from curiosity, experimentation, and sometimes, finding the perfect pigment. 🎨

Sources & Further Reading

• L. Cornelissen & Son — “Cornelissen’s History”: The company’s official history, including Louis Cornelissen, the move to Great Queen Street, the evolution of the business, and its revival in 1979.
• National Portrait Gallery — “British artists’ suppliers, 1650–1950: C”: Detailed historical research on Louis Cornelissen, the Cornelissen family, locations, dates, and the company’s development as an artists’ colourman.
• Financial Times — “Is L Cornelissen & Son the best art supply shop in the world?”: Background on the modern shop and Nicholas Walt’s role in preserving its legacy.
• L. Cornelissen & Son — Official Website: Current shop information and history.

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