Curator of the Royal Holloway College Picture Gallery

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0505 RHC AR500-504
Held at	: Royal Holloway, University of London   Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/archives ›
Full title	: Curator of the Royal Holloway College Picture Gallery
Date(s)	: 1881-1977
Level of description	: Subfonds of Royal Holloway College View parent record
Extent	: 7 boxes, 4 volumes
Name of creator(s)	: Royal Holloway College | Curator of the Picture Gallery
Detailed catalogue	: Click here to view repository detailed catalogue

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The art collection housed in the Picture Gallery at Royal Holloway College was based on the similar model at Vassar College in America. Thomas Holloway compiled the collection through purchases at auction from 1881-1883, when he bought at every Christie's sale of note. Although the initial plan was to obtain modern British paintings, examples of work by European painters were also acquired. The collection totalled 77 pictures at the time of Holloway's death in 1883. Charles W Carey was appointed to act as Curator of the Picture Gallery, a task he undertook from 1887 until his death in 1943.

His main role was to supervise the conservation of the pictures, compile the catalogue, show the collection to visitors, and correspond with artists, art historians and students concerning the works.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Correspondence and papers, 1882-1939, relating to the pictures in the Royal Holloway College Picture Collection, notably copyright and reproduction, conservation, loans to exhibitions, provenance, and valuations. Picture Gallery Visitors Books, 1936-1977. Sale and Exhibition catalogues, 1881-1968, namely those including pictures from the Royal Holloway College collection. Articles relating to pictures in the Royal Holloway College Collection, 1864-1971.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

Papers are arranged in files according to subject. The catalogues and articles are arranged chronologically.

Conditions governing access:

Administrative and Committee papers are closed for 30 years from the last date on file. Papers relating to individuals are usually closed for 100 years from the subject's birth. Users are advised to consult the College Archivist for specific details.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies of original material may be supplied, subject to the condition of the original. Requests to publish original material should be directed to the College Archivist.

Finding aids:

'A guide to Royal Holloway College Archives' by Derryan Paul, Jun 1973.

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Allied Materials

Related material:

The Royal Holloway, University of London Archives hold Secretary's papers regarding the Picture Gallery, 1887-1948 (RHC AR320-323); sketches (RHC RF145) and photographs (RHC PH110/1-3) of the Picture Gallery.

National Register of Archives: Click here to view NRA record

Publication note:

The history of Royal Holloway College, 1886-1986 (Constable, London, 1987), by Caroline Bingham.

Description Notes

Archivist's note:
Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the AIM25 project.

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with general International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Apr 2000