Watts Gallery Library and Archive

For the exploration of Victorian Art, Social History & Craft

Watts Gallery Library

Highlights in the library collection include an A-Z of Victorian artists, given as a gift by the late Christopher Wood, an auctioneer, art dealer and author who devoted his career to promoting the arts and artists of the Victorian period. Watts Gallery Library brings together the body of publications and theses on all aspects of the life and work of G. F. and Mary Watts and their circle. There are publications focusing on themes in nineteenth- century art more broadly as well as periodicals, journals and catalogues including runs of The English Illustrated Magazine, Art Journal, and Burlington Magazine among others.

Watts Gallery has two reading rooms; the John George Archive Room and the Study Seminar Room. Readers can access the complete library catalogue under Collection/ Library on Watts Gallery’s website www.wattsgallery.org.uk.
There are computers and there is internet access in both reading rooms.

Access

The reading rooms are open to members of the public and researchers for reference only. They are mainly open access, are invigilated and are open Tuesday to Friday 10.30am- 4pm by appointment. Both rooms are fully accessible to disabled visitors. Readers may use their own lap- top computers. Photocopying facilities are also available at a charge. Due to the vulnerable nature of some of the books, photocopying will not be available in all instances.

Please email research@wattsgallery.org.uk or call 01483 813588 to book an appointment.