Published 16/07/2021
What's your role at Bridgeman Images?
I research topics and request images from suppliers. It could be a specific image for a client or a selection. I'm based in New York and work primarily with the New York and London offices. But I also support our European branches as needed.
What do you love most about your job?
I love requests that require in-depth research. I often learn about a topic or moment in history I never knew about before. They are engrossing from a research perspective and I enjoy surprising the client with unexpected material.
What misconceptions do people most commonly have about the archive?
I'm in the unique position of having been a Bridgeman Images client before. I wasn't aware of how much research power this team has in finding images which aren't on the website. It's amazing the variety of suppliers Bridgeman has and how ready everyone is to dig in and search. I've fallen down many an enjoyable 'rabbit hole' of research to locate what the client needs.
Elizabeth's top picks from our archive
Halt the epidemic!
I've long been fascinated with visuals from periods of unrest. Often artists had to distil down a sometimes complex message into a quickly understood image. We frequently research images to pair with articles on Covid-19. I love this poster's depiction of "epidemic" and the ironic nonchalance in the man's face.
The Courageous Cat
I love the odd-ball results that sometimes come up in a search. I found this when looking for images by Roger Vivier. "Wanda Viviers was playing happily on the lawn at her home in Johannesburg when a Ringhalls snake came slithering towards her. Wanda's pet Siamese cat, Wong, hurled itself at the snake and killed it."
Selma to Montgomery March
Many clients, particularly those in Education, have been looking to expand their materials on the Civil Rights Movement. This is one of my favourite photos that I hadn't seen before. Most are generally from a photo-journalist perspective. But this photographer frames a moment from a Selma-to-Montgomery march as one from a holy crusade.
Allegory of Faith
There are eight Vermeers in New York City but this is the only non-genre work. Much of the iconography in The Allegory of Faith is literally straight out of a book - Cesare Ripa's Iconologia. The fight to balance naturalism and symbolism is a fascinating reflection of the evolving purpose of art for its time.
The Salute
This work by British contemporary artist William Wilkins was a surprise find. He's a family friend but I wasn't aware he is represented by Bridgeman Images! I grew up with two drawings similar to this one in my family's living room.
Find out more
Need help with a project? Contact our team of in-house experts to source the cultural and historical footage and stills that you need. Our archive is growing all the time so there's always something new to discover. We also offer research and retouching services.