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Spoliation reports

This institution also provides a list of works with incomplete provenance during the period 1933-1945.

NATIONAL GALLERY

National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
LONDON WC2N 5DN

Contact for all enquiries about Holocaust or WWII Spoliation:

Alan Crookham, Archivist
Tel: 020 7747 2831
Fax: 020 7747 2892
E-mail: lad@ng-london.org.uk

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

The nation's prime collection of European paintings from 13th -19th centuries. It includes representative collections of the French, Italian, Dutch, Flemish, German and Spanish schools, together with some British works up to the mid-19th century.

1. OVERALL PLANS

A. Areas which could contain looted items
Potentially all items created before 1945 and acquired after 1932.

B. Areas excluded and why
Items acquired before 1933 or created after 1945

C. Target areas and timetable for research
Initially staff identified 130 paintings where provenance was uncertain for all or part of the period 1933-1945

D. Areas considered a lower priority and why
None

2. RESEARCH CARRIED OUT OR BEING CARRIED OUT IN TARGET AREAS.

A. Process and sources for initial checks from information readily to hand
Staff have checked the National Gallery archive and dossiers, and published catalogues.

B. Description of checks being carried out beyond desk research
Staff are continuing to research provenance by checking published sources, the Art Loss Register, contacting previous owners, dealers etc., and where possible researching archives.

3. INFORMATION REGARDING PROGRESS IN TARGET AREA

A. No. of items in target area

130

B. No. of items where provenance has been tested satisfactorily.
Of the 130 paintings initially identified for research (above), the provenance of 21 has now been identified satisfactorily.

C. No. of items where initial checks on provenance are still being made from internal sources and information readily to hand.
None

D. No. of items for which initial research can be taken no further and additional information is being sought from external sources
109 in total

4. INFORMATION ON MAKING GENERAL ENQUIRIES OR ABOUT COLLECTIONS

A. Sources of information

(I) Published information
A number of catalogues on the Gallery's paintings have been published. Those in print may be bought from the National Gallery Company, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, or ordered by mail order by telephone (020-7747 2870). All catalogues may be consulted in the National Gallery Library (for details, see below). Catalogues are revised from time to time in the light of new information, so that the information they contain is not necessarily complete at the time of consultation.

The Gallery's website is at www.nationalgallery.org.uk Brief details of all of the Gallery's paintings may be found on it. In addition the site includes a list of paintings whose whereabouts at particular moments between 1933-45 cannot with confidence be specified as at March 2001. This list can be accessed via the Collection On-Line section of the site.

Most of the Gallery's paintings are on display, although at any given moment some may be on loan to other galleries, or in conservation. The opening of the Lower Floor Galleries is dependent on the availability of staff on the day in question - please contact the Information Department (020- 7747 2885)

(II) The National Gallery Archive
The National Gallery Archive holds two categories of papers: public records generated by the Gallery itself; and private papers relating to individuals or activities closely associated with the Gallery.

The public records document the Gallery's activities from its foundation in 1824 to the present day and include material relating to the history and provenance of pictures in the Gallery's collection, and the history and development of the Gallery as an institution.

The National Gallery also contains collections of private papers, relating to staff or Trustees of the Gallery and to private picture collections.

Further information about the National Gallery Archive can be found at:
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about/history/archive/default.htm

Opening Hours and Access to the Archive
The National Gallery Archive is open by appointment only from Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm. Brief enquiries can be dealt with by telephone, fax or email.

Contact Details
The National Gallery Archive
The National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DN
Tel: 020 7747 2831
Fax: 020 7747 2892
Email: lad@ng-london.org.uk

(III) Other relevant material

The National Gallery Library has an extensive collection of sale, exhibition and both public and private collection catalogues, as well as catalogues raisonnés on European painters of the period 1200-1900. Please note that there is no general public access to the National Gallery Library and that its collections are for reference only. It is open, by appointment only, to researchers who need to consult material which they are unable to find elsewhere in London, Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm, except for public holidays. Because accommodation is limited researchers should telephone, fax or e-mail to make an appointment before each visit. For access to the Library, please telephone Elspeth Hector at 020-7747 2830 (fax 020 7747 2892).

E-mail : lad@ng-london.org.uk

In addition the curatorial dossiers on individual paintings in the collection may be consulted. For an appointment to consult paintings dossiers, please telephone Elspeth Hector at 020-7747 2830

B. Making Enquiries
General enquiries about the collection:
020 7747 2885.
E-mail: information@ng-london.org.uk

C. Press office
For general press enquiries telephone 020 7747 2865

D. Address of the Institution
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square
LONDON WC2N 5DN

E. Website
http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk