An Introduction to Visual Sources for Historians
Spring Term 2010
Institute of Historical Research
Dr. Lynne Walker
N.B. Session 3 is on Monday, all other sessions are on Tuesday
In response to an increasing interest in visual culture by historians and the growing
importance of the visualisation of history, this course for Spring 2010 introduces issues
and approaches to the use of visual sources in historical research in the modern period.
Structured around lectures, discussions and visits, the course will offer the opportunity for
students to consider films, paintings, photographs, architecture and design in situ- in
galleries, museums and the built environment - as well as provide an introduction to visual
sources held in archives and libraries. Students will also have the opportunity to talk in
detail to librarians and archivists about their own research needs, and to find out more
about how particular libraries, museums and other archives may be useful to them. The
course is open to all students registered for a higher degree in history or cognate
disciplines at a university in the UK.
First Session: Tuesday, February 9th
10:45- 11:00 Coffee, Welcome and Registration
IHR Common Room - Dr. Simon Trafford and Dr. Lynne Walker
11:30-1:00: Seminar PHOTOGRAPHY, Royal Institute of British Architects
Robert Elwall, Curator, RIBA Photographs Collection
1:00-2:30 : Lunch/travel
2:30-4:30 Visit :British Library
Guided tour of Points of View: Capturing the Nineteenth Century in
Photographs, a major exhibition drawn from the BL's collections
Second Session: Tuesday, February 16th
10:45-12:00 PAINTING, National Maritime Museum (NMM), Greenwich
Gallery talk Dr. Roger Quarm, Curator of Paintings
N.B. Meet in the Great Hall at the Queen’s House
12:00-1:00 Visit to the new Atlantic Worlds Gallery, which depicts connections between
Europe, Africa and the Americas and considers themes, such as empire, slavery and
resistance.
Dr. John McAleer, Curator of Eighteenth-century Imperial and Maritime History
1:00-2:00 Lunch (recommended self-guided visit to the Painted Hall of Greenwich
Hospital)
2:00-4:00 Visit to the Department of Prints and Drawings,
Dr. Richard Johns, Curator
Third Session: Monday, February 22nd
10:45-12:00 : PORTRAITS, National Portrait Gallery
Gallery talk, Modern Portraits
12:00-1:00 : IT Gallery, Zaheen Qaiser, NPG
1:00-2:00 Lunch
2:00-3:00 Visit: Heinz Archive and Library, NPG
Paul Cox, Deputy Head of Archive and Library
3:00-4:00
Photographs Collection, NPG
Assistant curator, Helen Trompeteler
Fourth Session: Tuesday, March 2nd
10:45- 12:45 : Seminar : FILM
Dr. Lynne Walker
12:45-2:15 Lunch/travel
2:15-4:15 Visit: British Film Institute (TBC)
Archive, Jan Faulls
Library, Sean Delaney
Fifth session: Tuesday, March 9th
10:45-12:45 ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Seminar, Institute of Historical Research
Dr. Lynne Walker
12:45-2:00
Lunch
2:00- 4:00 Gender, Space and Architecture, an architectural walk in Bloomsbury,
followed by a visit to St. Pancras International and the Midland Hotel (hotel exterior only)