Published 20/09/2013
Elephant-killers, symbolism and dazzling details. Bridgeman’s archive manager and all-round problem solver, Katrien ‘Kat’ Demoor, talks about her work and favourite images.
What is your role at Bridgeman? I am Bridgeman’s all-round problem solver! In practice this means I manage the office and the Library’s physical archives as well as working with its bourgeoning digital collection. In addition to this, I work with the Bridgeman Sales Team to support the flow of digital orders and queries. This includes checking the quality, colour and orientation of an image, whether it has been cropped, cleaned or restored. One of Bridgeman’s many strengths is that we are surrounded by the original transparencies. This means that if something is flagged up we can always cross-check it with its original. I started working for Bridgeman 25 years ago after moving to London from Belgium. At the time what Bridgeman was doing was absolutely unique, so I jumped at the chance. |
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What do you love the most about the job? The unexpected. I remember visiting museums for a client to check the quality and colour of their printer’s proofs against the paintings. We happily get on our bike to ensure we get it right.
What misconceptions do clients most commonly have about the archive? That what is displayed on the website is all the Library has to offer. There is a wealth of material we can access behind the scenes. If you cannot find the image always ask our sales team. In some cases we are able to order, or even send a photographer to the museum, for you.
Can you give us a sneak peak of some of Bridgeman's technical wizardry? Bridgeman’s in-house Technician (I call him ‘the Wizard’), can work to specific requests, ranging from scanning a detail at super-size for larger print jobs, to digital restoration. Here, we have cut out details for any use (left), and coloured previously-black and white images (below). This is only a fraction of the services we offer though! |
Kat's favouite pictures in the Bridgeman archive are...
1. The Symbolism of Spilliaert The light on the beaches of Belgium can be very surprising. Here, Spilliaert captures the constant colour changes of sea and sand. |
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2. Dutch and Flemish 17th century art This portrait of Rembrandt’s first wife shows a lady of great wealth. Apparently, falling in love with the artist was below her status. |
3. The weird and wonderful world of Jeroen Bosch This artist continues to intrigue me. The everyday world he lived in must have been full of contradictions and beliefs but the scenes he painted do not disguise the cruel reality of the late-Middle Ages. |
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Khalo has been quoted saying: ‘I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality’. Looking at this image, we can see the fusion of different cultures and beliefs. |
I love tribal art and choose one of the many objects the library has on offer, this Native American shield caught my eye. |
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Elephants were scarce in 15th Century France. I guess if you have never seen an elephant before, this is as good as it gets! |
Bridgeman's Research, Re-touching and Copyright Service
Need help with a project? Contact our team of in-house experts who work with our collections to source the cultural and historical footage and stills that you need. Our archive is growing all the time so there is always something new to discover.