Research, collaboration and funding

Research Team and Collaboration
The project will be lead by Dr Tarnya Cooper, Sixteenth Century Curator working with Sophie Plender in our Conservation department. The project team will include a body of scientists, independent painting conservators, art historians and other academics who will provide advice on the methodology and assist with the interpretation of results throughout the course of the project. Our advisory body includes specialist staff at the National Gallery, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the University of Sussex, University College London and the Institute Collectie Nederland (ICN), Amsterdam.

Funding
The total cost of the project will be over £500,000 over 5 years. We have funding in place to examine 20 portraits in the first year of this project. In order to develop comparative findings we need to continue the research over a further 4-year period.

The Gallery is able to commit £100,000 to the project and we have received over £100,000 in donations so far. Further contributions at all levels are now sought from individuals, companies, trusts and foundations. Our appeal target is £375,000 (larger donations may be spread over a period of up to 5 years).

If you would like to support the project, request further details or arrange a meeting, please contact Susie Holden or Catherine Yexley. Contact details are given below.

We are grateful to the following charitable trusts, foundations and organisations for supporting the first important stages of this project:

Arts and Humanities Research Council
John S Cohen Foundation
PF Charitable Trust
The Idlewild Trust
The Leche Trust
The Märit and Hans Rausing Charitable Foundation
The Mercers' Company