The Groult Collection

This file contains notes made by Oppé on the collection.

Also includes twenty one small, informal images of works presumably taken by Oppé whilst viewing the collection. Many of the photographs feature frames and some show the stands upon which the paintings were shown. Two of the photographs show a line of paintings propped up against a wall for viewing.

Also includes:

-two letters from Kenneth Clark, one is dated 18 Jul 1952 and the other is undated, concerning Clark's proposal for the visit to the Groult collection

-four letters from Kenneth Garlick, Barber Institute of Fine Art, dated between 14 Oct 1952-2 Jan 1953, concerning works by Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) in the Groult collection

-letter from [?] Groult, dated 20 Oct 1952, concerning Oppé's notes on the collection. Also includes one page of these notes

-two letters from Norman Reid, Tate Gallery, dated 30 Oct & 24 Nov 1952, concerning a version of a work held at the Tate that was found in the Groult collection

-letter from Tom Girtin, dated 28 Apr 1953, concerning his notes on many of the photographs taken of the collection

-letter from Joan Angeloni, dated 7 Jul 1953, concerning a financial transaction with Mr. Groult

Open for research. Readers must fill in an 'Reader Agreement Form' which outlines the reading room rules and conditions concerning privacy and Data Protection

In 1952, on the recommendation of Kenneth Clark, Oppé was employed by the Groult family to travel to Paris and survey the English works in the Groult family collection. The collection had been established by Camille Groult (1837-1908) and mostly inherited through the family, although many works had been sold in the years after Camille's death. Oppé was employed to look at the British works, focusing particularly on about 120 attributed to J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851) and John Constable (1776-1837). The survey was conducted in August 1952, and upon his return Oppé shared some of his findings with fellow art historians.