Selected archive documents relating to Primary Collection portraits
The Heinz Archive and Library preserves a large body of correspondence and other documents relating to portraits within the Gallery's main Primary Collection. This material often includes notes made by the artists and letters to and from the sitters and artists.
Within the following sections is a representative selection of material from the 17th Century to the present day.
Selected archive documents relating to pre-18th Century portraits
Including a receipt for the purchase of a portrait of Mary Queen of Scots.
Selected archive documents relating to 18th Century and Regency portraits
Including a letter from the Earl of Bath discussing contemporary political events and speaking of his sitting to Reynolds.
Selected archive documents relating to Victorian portraits
Including a letter from G.F. Watts to the Director of the National Portrait Gallery speaking of his 'Hall of Fame' portraits.
Selected archive documents relating to 20th Century portraits
Including a letter from the artist Humphrey Ocean giving an account of Tony Benn and sittings with him.
Collected Archives
Archive material that has been acquired by the Gallery from external sources because of its relevance to the study of British portraiture.
Collected Archives
A collection of manuscripts that relate to British portraiture and specifically to artists and portraits represented in the Gallery's collection.
