The original Grosvenor Gallery opened in 1877 by amateur artists Sir Coutts and Blanche Lindsay in London.  Coutts and Blanche were both higher class, which meant a lot of connections. This was especially true of Blanche, whose family money allowed for the Gallery's opening in the first place. The first co-directors of the Gallery were J. Comyns Carr and Charles Hallé. It became home to more radical paintings not approved by the Academy's conservative guests and painters. Because of the paintings that decked its halls, the Gallery was fundamental to the Aesthetic Movement in the late 1800s. It got its fame of the movement from James McNeill Whistler suing an art critic for libel; Whistler won but didn't get much money in retribution. Then, in 1888, Coutts got into a disagreement with the Gallery's co-directors. In the end, both Comyns Carr and Hallé resigned from the Grosvenor Gallery and started a rival gallery that ended up stealing many of Grosvenor's artists. Due to this and a few other personal reasons, Coutts wound up relinquishing control to Blanche, who at this time had become estranged from her husband after they broke up. In the end, the Gallery closed in 1890 but has since been revived twice in unrelated attempts. The first revival occurred in 1912 by Knoedler and P & D Colnaghi & Co. While it had promise to be one of the largest galleries in London, by 1924 it had closed due to financial problems but also the inability to replenish the gallery with new work. The third attempt was by Eric Estorick in 1960. He must have done something right because his Grosvenor Gallery is still open today. The Grosvenor Gallery mentioned in Picture of Dorian Gray, however, is long gone with only it's memory alive by Estorick's version.

I cannot believe a man of high status such as Lord Henry Wotton would suggest Basil should display his work at the Grosvenor. Doesn't he know the ridiculous works that decorate the place? Preposterous! The paintings at the Grosvenor are grossly horrific in nature and the residents even more so. To associate yourself with that kind. Disastrous! While it would do Basil good to display at the Academy like any respectable artist, I suppose it would be better not to display at all than to sink to the likes of the Grosvenor. I simply cannot wrap my head around the notion of Lord Henry...promoting such a disgraceful place. So openly, as well. Insanity! The sick and cantankerous have overtaken the youth and I cannot stand for it. They'll drive the arts into the ground for us more respectable residents. The nerve of these young hooligans! I still fully respect Basil's intent to keep the portrait for himself. Granted, it is a bit...unnatural for a man to be so enamored with Dorian's portrait, but I would much rather it stay hidden from prying eyes than be with the likes of the Grosvenor's rude depictions. I cannot believe Lord Henry! he should simply now better than to promote and associate with that despicable place. I must go lie down before this sends me over the top. Lord Henry, my God!

Works cited: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosvenor_Gallery; Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde; http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=julie-codell-on-the-grosven...