Bridgeman's Cataloguing Manager reveals her favourite images in the archive
1. What is your role at Bridgeman?
As Cataloguing Manager, I am responsible for coordinating all the new material which comes into the archive. This could be additional submissions from existing suppliers or totally new content. I have to check the metadata, image size and quality and prep for the cataloguing team who will add keywords and additional information. 2. What do you love most about the job?
I love that I look at pictures all day but dealing with the accompanying metadata allows me to learn about art collections, festivals, architecture, fashion and religious practices from around the world. I have found my job to be an invaluable tool when doing pub quizzes – there’s often a question about a saint’s attributes! 3. What misconceptions do clients most commonly have about the archive?
|
![]()
|
Felicity's favourite images in the archive are...
![]()
|
I have always been a massive fan of Ancient Egypt, as a baby I was left with the security guards in the British Museum while my mother was working as a photographer’s assistant, and have had the fortune to visit Egypt several times and view this in the Cairo Museum. This mask would be stunning if it was made today but the fact that it is over 3000 years old amazes me |
Really Oaxaca? Why?? This is an example of the more esoteric content we have, apparently this is one of the ‘most impressive vegetable festivals around the world’.
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
I love monkeys and Dürer so this beautiful watercolour from Monasterio de El Escorial ticks both boxes. The minute detail makes this extremely lifelike and demonstrates his skill which makes him one of the most important artists of the Northern Renaissance. |
This is an etching commissioned for a portfolio, ‘Hommage à Pablo Picasso’, to celebrate his 90th birthday. It is a combination of ‘Las Meninas or The Family of Philip IV’ by Diego Velazquez in the various graphic styles used by Picasso throughout his career. I think it’s clever and fun. |
![]()
|
![]()
|
This portable altarpiece depicts Richard II being presented by three saints to the Virgin and Child and a company of eleven angels. Nearest to Richard is his patron saint John the Baptist and behind are St. Edward the Confessor and St. Edmund. I love the vivid colours and the intricate details, like the ring held by Edward the Confessor. I also like the slightly stroppy angel with her arms crossed behind Mary. Was she fed up with her angelic duties? |
Or a montage of crazy people. Looking at some of these aircraft makes me stunned that anyone would ever get in one of them and also makes economy seem luxurious. |
![]()
|
Find out more
Need help with a project? Contact our sales team who can help you with research and copyright clearance.
If you can't find what you are looking for we can work with our collections to source it for you. New images and clips are being uploaded every day.