Cornelissen
L. Cornelissen & Son have been manufacturing art materials since the mid-19th century. Established in 1855 by Belgian lithographer Louis Cornelissen, this historic art supply shop specialises in a wide range of materials for artists, calligraphers, and printmakers. Drawing on their expertise as colourmakers, they produce a superb selection of pigment powders, sundries, binders, rabbit skin glue, and other essential products for making your own paints and properly sizing and priming canvas.
Cornelissen: Traditional Artist Supplies Since 1855
For over a century, L. Cornelissen & Son has been a cornerstone of the fine art community, offering high-end, hard-to-find materials for professional artists, printmakers, conservators, and calligraphers.
Established in 1855 on Great Queen Street, London, the company was founded by Louis Cornelissen, a Belgian lithographer who moved to London following political unrest in Paris. According to legend, it was J.M.W. Turner who encouraged Louis to bring his craft to the UK.
Originally specialising in lithographic supplies, Cornelissen gradually expanded its offering to serve artists working across a wide range of disciplines. As manual printing techniques declined, the business evolved into a full-spectrum artists’ colourhouse, supplying everything from pigment and graphite powders to rabbit skin glue, marble dust, and more.
By the late 19th century, Cornelissen was firmly established as a go-to supplier for artists. The shop has always taken pride in its expertise in colourmaking and preparation, providing artists with the essential components to grind their own paints, size and prime their canvases, and pursue their craft at the highest level.
Although the Cornelissen family line ended in 1977, the shop was revived two years later and remains a beacon of traditional art practice. Since 1988, Cornelissen has operated from Great Russell Street - just steps from the British Museum - continuing its legacy as a specialist supplier of exceptional fine art materials.