Research

Research is fundamental to the Gallery’s work, informing everything from major projects undertaken in partnership with other organisations to day-to-day activities such as acquisitions. The Gallery is recognised as an Independent Research Organisation by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Research programmes

Making Art in Tudor Britain

A major research project on early painting practice and the production of portraits

Later Victorian Portraits

A major project on cataloguing in depth the Gallery's collection of later Victorian portraits

Staff research

Details of the range of research projects being undertaken by Gallery staff

All research programmes

Heinz Archive and Library

Open by appointment to visitors who are interested in any aspect of British portraiture or in the history of the Gallery

Explore the Archive and Library

Researching portraits

Conservation

How we maintain our portraits in order to make them accessible now and in the future

Gallery records

The Gallery records contain material relating to the Gallery's activities since its foundation in 1856

Collected archives

Archive material acquired by the Gallery because of its relevance to the study of British portraiture

Research directories

British artists’ suppliers

British and foreign firms of artists' suppliers and colourmen

Framemakers

Framemakers, carvers and gilders in Britain

Restorers

Leading picture, paper and sculpture restorers who worked on major collections

Sculpture makers

Bronze sculpture founders and plaster figure makers active in Britain from 1800

Examine our sculptures

Period catalogues

Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue

Extended entries from John Ingamells' Later Stuart Portraits Catalogue (17th century)

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue

Extended entries from John Ingamells' Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue (18th century)

Regency Portraits Catalogue

Extended entries from Richard Walker's Regency Portraits Catalogue (18th-19th century)