British and Irish Paintings in Public Collections: An Index of British and Irish Oil Paintings by Artists Born Before 1870 in Public and Institutional Collections in the United Kingdom and Ireland

As a reference librarian in a general humanities service team, and one who deals with the majority of enquiries about artists, I approached this work with great interest. I often receive enquiries about obscure artists with small outputs, and not being an art historian myself, I welcome any reference work that may help in tracing information.

The compilers, led by art historian Christopher Wright, have brought considerable knowledge and experience to this work. They have spent many years visiting galleries, and in checking and editing the listings. The work contains a vast amount of new information, and a new approach...