British School at Rome Print Collection

Collection

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises 535 prints, most of which were executed by the Rome Scholars in Engraving/Printmaking between 1920 and 1989. Traditional printmaking processes are represented, such as drypoint, etching, engraving and woodcut or a combination of more than one technique. The first 25 boxes as well as 1 folder contain prints executed by Scholars in Engraving/Printmaking who stayed at the British School at Rome. Artworks from boxes 26 to 30, made between 1921 and 1928, were executed by the Finalists in the Rome Scholarship Competition in Engraving, and were also included in the collection.

Scholars in Engraving had to produce each year a minimum of three complete plates in any method of engraving. Two proofs had to be made of each plate to remain their property. They came as an addition to their usual studies in black and white or colour. If they got the Faculty’s approval, they could spend their third year away from Rome. These items are an integral part of the BSR historic collections.

Reference number

SCH-PRI

Dates

1920 - 1989
Majority of material found within 1920 - 1939

Creator

British School at Rome (Owner, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Historical note

Over the course of its activity, the BSR accumulated numerous prints executed by Scholars in Printmaking/Engraving during their award tenure. It was also common practice to hold the artworks by finalists in the final competition. Sir Evelyn Shaw, who was Honorary General Secretary both of BSR and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 (1912-1947), ensured that all Rome scholars, artists as well as architects, deposited their main work in Rome in the London office. It is much likely that the prints remained in the BSR London office at 1 Lowther Gardens at least until 1986, when the premises had to be vacated because of the withdrawal of the 1851 Commissioners from the administration of the institution. Minutes of the Faculty of Printmaking, dated 29 October 1984, still refer to the practice of scholars presenting their artworks for the London collection.

Extent

535 Print(s) (30 boxes and 1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Prints of former BSR Scholars in Printmaking/Engraving (1920-1989) as well as from finalists in the final competitions.

Arrangement

Prints are grouped by scholar or artist and arranged by year of award or competition.

Physical Location

The prints are currently located in the new basement.

Other Finding Aids

A detailed loose-leaf binder catalogue (January 1932) of the Scholars' prints provides descriptions of the deposited artworks according to the year and the name of the scholar who won the award, as of 1920. This inventory is now available for consultation in the Archive Office. At the end of 1990s, Roberto Cobianchi produced an inventory based on the Catalogue published in 1932 as well as on a close examination of the items. He enriched the information relating to the individual items. This inventory is avalable for consultation in the Archive office.