ETON COLLEGE. Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art. College Collections (Fine and Decorative Art)

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1 ETON COLLEGE Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art College Collections (Fine and Decorative Art) General Background Eton College was founded by Henry VI in 1440 for 70 King s Scholars. The central purpose of the College still remains education and it is run as a secondary school of the highest possible standard for approximately 1,300 boys aged 13-18, all of whom board at the School. The College s Collections, built up over many years, include antiquities, rare books and manuscripts, paintings, photographs and other artefacts, as well as natural history specimens. The Collections are used by researchers and for educating pupils and are made available to a wider public through events, exhibitions and loan programmes. Fine and Decorative Art Collections A notable collection of several hundred oil portraits spans the 16th century to contemporary works. In addition to royal and other portraits from the time of Henry VI onwards, there is the group of so-called 'leaving portraits' of young Etonians, many of whom later became famous. These were painted by some of the leading portraitists of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Thomas Hudson, Joshua Reynolds, George Romney, Benjamin West, William Beechey, John Hoppner and Thomas Lawrence. The majority of these portraits are displayed in the various historic rooms of the college buildings. The tradition of leaving portraits has been revived in modern times, and there is now a growing collection of portraits of distinguished Etonians commissioned from leading portraitists such as Derek Hill, Paul Brason, Peter Kuhfeld, and Andrew Festing. Amongst other notable oil paintings in the collection are an early 17th-century panoramic View of Venice by Odoardo Fialetti, and George Frederick Watts Sir Galahad presented to Eton by the artist in The core collection of the fine collection of English watercolours results from gifts and bequests made by Old Etonian collectors. It contains examples of the best-known watercolourists of the 18th and 19th centuries as well as rare drawings by less familiar artists. Amongst artists represented are Gainsborough, J.S. Cotman, Alexander and J.R. Cozens, Thomas Girtin, J.M.W. Turner, Francis Towne, Paul Sandby, Thomas Rowlandson and Samuel Palmer. These are housed in the Print Room, together with an extensive 1

2 collection of mezzotint portraits and topographical prints. The substantial 18th-century collection of drawings after the antique formed by Richard Topham survives in its original arrangement in College Library. There are 15th-century wall paintings in College Chapel and a 16th-century wall painting in Head Master's Chambers. Rare survivals of medieval school furniture, College Chapel s original 15th-century brass lectern, sculpture from the 15th to 21st centuries, important tapestries from the Merton Abbey studios, 18th-century English furniture, and sacred and secular stained glass from the 16th to 20th centuries are amongst the rich holdings of decorative art. Items from the collection are frequently lent to outside exhibitions, and selections are displayed in exhibitions open to the public within the College. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Appointment Date To start September 2013 Salary In the range of 29,000-35,000 per annum, paid monthly via BACS. Hours Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (35 hours per week). Some evening and weekend work will be required to support the collections activities and this will be scheduled in advance in consultation with the post holder. Compensatory time in lieu will be given for such work. The scheduling of time off in lieu may be restricted during term time. This is a full time post. However, there may be some flexibility to work fewer weeks during the school holidays and this can be discussed at interview. Holiday The basic holiday allowance is 21 days plus bank holidays plus (non-contractual) extra days at Christmas/New Year to bridge the gap between the two. Other benefits There is a non-contributory life assurance scheme which all staff join on starting their employment. The College also has a defined contribution pension scheme; further details are available from HR. The College operates a childcare voucher scheme and interest free season ticket loans are available. Many of the school s extensive recreational and sporting facilities are available to employees and their families (swimming, golf, tennis, theatre, concerts etc). 2

3 Application Process Applicants are asked to complete the application form and coversheet in full and return it by to before the closing date. Application forms returned after the closing date will not be considered. The application form can be found on our website: The closing date for this position is, Friday, 21 June Interviews will be held on 1 and 2 July. If you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact Robert Geurtsen, Human Resources Department, on All appointments with the College will be subject to two references, a medical report and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service, all of which must be satisfactory to the College. In addition the College is required to contact any former employers in whose employment the applicant has worked or volunteered with children. 3

4 JOB DESCRIPTION JOB DESCRIPTION: Keeper of Fine and Decorative Art REPORTS TO: Director of Collections PURPOSE OF JOB: Responsibility (including cataloguing, care and conservation, administration and related curatorial tasks) for the Collections of Fine Art and Decorative Art. These collections are both in storage and adorning the buildings throughout the College and School. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Cataloguing: Oversee and participate in the cataloguing of all items within the categories of Fine and Decorative Art (including those in the Modern Art collection, and other departments of the Collections where paintings and drawings are housed). This includes checking and updating data transferred from previous catalogues (Filemaker and Mikromarc) to the new SSL catalogue; continuing to add new items to the catalogue; adding existing digital images and new digital photographs to the records, as needed; applying catalogue numbers physically to each object. Asset checking: Establish and undertake a programme for regular checking of artworks around the College and School site (including College and Lower Chapels, Masters and Boys Houses, School Halls and Departments, as well as for items off site). Record movement of artworks electronically on catalogue; keeping the Security officer and Bursar up to date as necessary regarding location and movement of insured items. Keep insurance figures up to date. Care, conservation and storage: Maintain proper storage and display conditions; undertake regular environmental checks. Identify conservation needs. Establish priorities for a rolling programme within available budget. Exhibitions, display and access: Research and write text for and oversee hanging of internal exhibitions in the Verey Gallery and other areas. Approve loans to external exhibitions (subject to agreement of the Provost and Fellows) and advise regarding registration; occasionally act as courier. Provide displays for events (e.g. Friends of the Collections events, fundraising events, etc.) as required. Select appropriate artworks for 4

5 display in Masters and Boys Houses, School Halls and Departments and other areas of the College, and overseeing the hanging of artworks in these areas. Provide access for scholars and visiting parties; prepare and deliver presentations on the collections to a wide range of audiences (e.g., Friends of the Collections, groups with a general or scholarly interest in art history).answer enquiries regarding the collection by telephone, letter and . Provide listings identifying the artworks hanging in the Blue Corridor. Education: Contribute to teaching and other educational initiatives such as the Collections Option, F Block Day, and private business and related school activities as required. Work with Masters and the Exhibitions and Outreach Coordinator in the development of teaching and outreach initiatives. Collection development: Build upon existing collections by liaising with auction houses, dealers and private individuals, and work with potential donors. Cross-Collections: Attend Internal and External Collections meetings and serve on subcommittees as requested by the Vice-Provost or the Director of Collections. Support the Friends of the College Collections and other fund-raising programmes for the Collections, including contribution of articles to the College s Collections Journal. Budget: Set and manage budgets within parameters set by the Vice-Provost. Management of Office: Including all correspondence and general administration; filing and cross-referencing (paper and computer files), including historical data from old Print Room and College Archive files; shelving and listing of reference library; sourcing and ordering equipment. Supervise work of Print Room Assistant and tasks of Foundation Handyman relating to Fine and Decorative Arts collections. Supervise project cataloguers, work experience or volunteer assistants. Health and Safety: Review and implement Health and Safety procedures. Undertake appropriate health and safety training as required by the department. Take reasonable precautions to safeguard the health and safety of staff and visitors whilst at work. PERSON SPECIFICATION: An undergraduate and/or postgraduate degree in art history Curatorial experience in the fine and decorative arts at a comparable institution Good communication and collaborative skills (to work efficiently with senior members of the College, Buildings department, Print Room Assistant, Foundation Handyman, other Keepers, Collections Administrator, Exhibitions and Outreach Coordinator, Department Heads, Masters, boys, outside experts, researchers and visitors). Ability to work as part of a team and to get the best out of staff Flexible, positive and prepared for a wide variety of tasks 5

6 Ability to work independently and as part of a team Efficient and organised and able to prioritise. Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines Computer literate and confident with databases and Microsoft Word An appreciation of and interest in the historic tradition of the College Additional Comments: It will be necessary to use a ladder and the work involves lifting and moving boxes of drawings. 6