| Description | All the data in this section of the catalogue (Ref NPG7/1/3/2: tracings) was compiled by Paula Freestone Mellor in the course of her studies for a DPhil Modern History, Oriel College, University of Oxford.
Even before he was employed at the Gallery, Scharf had traced portraits for research purposes. Following his appointment as Secretary, this activity became a very useful tool in the acquisition process: tracings (and sketches) of portraits considered for acquisition were presented to the Trustees at Board Meetings. The process of tracings portraits considered for acquisition was officially discussed and approved at a meeting of the Trustees held on 16 Jun 1859.
Tracings have been catalogued individually. The description of each includes the following elements:
-Title: the title given is the one assigned by Scharf (as recorded on the tracing itself)
-Reference Mark: records any reference number assigned by Scharf (as recorded on the tracing itself). These reference numbers usually relate to other record series compiled by Scharf, in particular the sketchbooks [Ref: NPG7/1/3/1] and Register of Offers [Ref: NPG85]
-Medium: the materials used in the artistic technique
-Measurements: dimensions of the tracing
-Scharf's Notes: records any other information written on the tracing by Scharf. The majority of notes concern the colour of the portraits.
-Notes: the notes compiled by Paula Freestone Mellor in the course of her DPhil.
The tracings have been catalogued according to their physical arrangement within the plan chest drawers.
In order to be understood in context, the records in this series should be viewed alongside the following material:
-Scharf's and Trustees sketchbooks (Ref No: NPG7/1/3/1, NPG7/3/4/2)
-Index and Register of Offers (Ref No: NPG85)
-Acqusitions and offers records (Ref No: NPG7/1/2/1) |