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NEIL MACGREGOR COLLECTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS RESEARCH SCHOLAR APPOINTED
The Barber Institute has appointed its first Neil MacGregor Collections and Exhibitions Research Scholar. Dr Sophie Bostock will be researching the spectacular series of acquisitions of paintings, prints and drawings made by the Barber’s first Director, Professor Thomas Bodkin, whom the Henry Barber Trust appointed in 1935. Her work will help prepare for the year-long programme of exhibitions and events planned for late 2012 and 2013 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute by Dame Martha Barber.
After an early career as an executive PA, Sophie turned to art history in 2000, studying at the University of East Anglia before transferring her PhD to the University of Warwick. She has a specialist interest in 18th-century Venetian art, specifically Domenico Tiepolo, but is also currently undertaking fascinating research into the final works of aging artists across all periods since the Renaissance. She has previously worked at Dulwich Picture Gallery and the Wallace Collection, where she helped prepare the recent publication on their miniatures.
Sophie will focus in particular on the loan to the National Gallery of key works acquired by Bodkin for the Barber before its building was opened by Queen Mary in July 1939. These include outstanding paintings by major Old Masters such as Simone Martini, Cima, Hals and Poussin, and 19th-century masterpieces by JMW Turner, Manet and Monet. They will be brought together for a loan exhibition to the National Gallery, London over the summer of 2013. Sophie will chart the development and reputation of the Barber as its collections grew during Bodkin's directorship (1935-1952) and study his close association with dealers, private collectors and the London art establishment – including Kenneth Clark, Director of the National Gallery. She will be undertaking archival research in Birmingham, London and Dublin, to inform an essay in our 80th birthday publication.
Professor Ann Sumner, Director, said: ‘We are delighted and very proud to have a Neil MacGregor Scholar working with us at the Barber. Sophie is ideally suited to undertake research on our first Director and the acquisitions he made. Bodkin was a fascinating man who came to the Barber from the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin where he was Director. He made major significant purchases establishing a major Old Master and Impressionist collection here at the University of Birmingham and was also a renowned broadcaster and author, as well as a collector in his own right. We are most grateful for the support of the National Gallery which has helped facilitate this appointment.’
Sophie began her research at the Barber on Monday 12 December and will remain in post until mid May 2012. Her scholarship is named after Neil MacGregor, current Director of the British Museum and former Director of the National Gallery – with the National Gallery Trust funding Sophie’s position. Neil MacGregor was keen to enhance research into regional art collections and, as a result, the scholars bear his name. Following Sophie’s tenure at the Barber, another MacGregor Research Scholar will be welcomed in her place, and will prepare entries for the Barber’s paintings for the online VADS NICE Paintings database of Pre-1900 Continental European oil paintings in UK public collections.