| StorageSite | UCL Institute of Neurology |
| AdminHistory | The Hospital has a long association with the acquisition and display of works of art. The archive contains a list of 19 paintings that had been donated to the Hospital by Alfred Burges (father of the influential architect and designer William Burges) in 1882, including 'The Tribute Money' and works attributed to Kneller and Lely. An addendum to the list details a further donation in 1905 of works attributed to James Sant RA and Salvator Rosa. [NHNN/A/32]
The most influential figure in the later history of the Hospital's art collections was the cellist Sheridan Russell (1900-1991). As the Hospital's Head Almoner he started the influential Paintings in Hospitals scheme. Russell drew together a small number of colleagues and friends who, financed by grants from the Nuffield Trust, selected and purchased paintings, in most cases from the artists themselves. The well-known painter Matthew Smith was an early contributor and Paintings in Hospitals is now a national charity. The archive contains Russell's register of paintings belonging to the Hospital, listing works held from the mid 1950s on, and associated correspondence.
[Keywords: Almoner] |