Graves International Art

Frank Dicey (English, c. 1838-1888) was a figure painter born in London. He exhibited between 1880 and 1888 at the Royal Academy, Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours and Grosvenor Gallery in London, as well as at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham, Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and Manchester City Art Gallery. Dicey also exhibited with the Royal Society of British Artists, a society which nominated James Whistler its President in 1886. He was elected a member of The Arts Club in 1866 and a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 1883.

In 1874/1876, Dicey's name was included by James Whistler in a list which may have been a guest list for the private view of Whistler's Pall Mall exhibition of 1874, or a subscription list for Whistler's Venice etchings as proposed in 1876. At this time, Dicey was among those who received invitations to Whistler's infamous 'breakfasts'. They appear to have remained on friendly terms into the 1880's and there is evidence that they corresponded with each other. In December 1887 Whistler included Dicey's name on another guest list, this time for a private view of a Royal Society of British Artists exhibition.