The reports contain a variety of information which varies over time. However, standard information given by all reports includes: a list of Trustees; the Director's report on the management of the collection, acquisitions, loans, conservation work and exhibitions; attendance figures; a financial report; and a list of staff. From 2007-2008 the list of staff was no longer included in the Annual Report and information on loans, staff publications and external commitments were not published in the printed version but online.
National Gallery Annual Reports
This material is held atNational Gallery Research Centre
- Reference
- GB 345 NG17
- Dates of Creation
- 1848-
- Name of Creator
- Language of Material
- English
- Physical Description
- 54 volumes
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
The National Gallery and its Board of Trustees was established in 1824. However, the first annual report was not published until 1856, following the Select Committee report of 1853, and the subsequent appointment of the first Director, Sir Charles Eastlake. Under the terms of the Treasury Minute of 27 March 1855, which appointed the Director, he was charged with making a general report annually to the Treasury.
The first report related to activities in the period March 1855-1856, and included appendices of documents relating to the new establishment of the National Gallery and its regulations in addition to a summary of that year's activities. Thereafter reports were published annually. There was a hiatus during the years of the Second World War and the reports were only reintroduced in 1955, when the report from 1938-1954 was published. Between 1954 and 1989 reports were published every two to three years; from 1989 reports were published annually to conincide with the financial year.
Arrangement
The reports are arranged chronologically.
Access Information
Open
Reports are available to researchers by appointment with the Archivist.
Other Finding Aids
The most recent and complete list is held on CALM ALM. A paper list is available from the National Gallery Archive.
Alternative Form Available
Annual reports 1855-1996 are available on microfilm.
Archivist's Note
Catalogued by Alan Crookham, March 2006. List printed: May 2006.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright is held by the National Gallery.
Appraisal Information
A single copy of the annual report is held in the Archive.
Custodial History
The reports were held as part of the Library's collection before transfer to the Archive. They are now transferred directly to the Archive on publication.
Accruals
Annual reports are transferred directly to the Archive on publication.