These now public archives are opening up an insight into the lives – and work – of some of the most important figures in the history of British art. The collection in its entirety (a cool million or so items) contains a mass of material on the artists themselves plus leading art figures and organisations between 1900 to present day, ranging from sketchbooks, handwritten notes and photographs to audio-visual material and rare press cuttings.

Jump to the Tate Archive website now to check out the first stage, and stay tuned in the coming months: plans for summer include the digitalisation of a further 37 artists’ archives including Kurt Schwitters, Eileen Agar and Prunella Clough.

IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Felicitas Vogler: Photograph of Ben Nicholson holding his cat, Tommy 1968. Tate Archive. Purchased by the Tate Archive from Ben Nicholson’s executors in 1987 © Fondation du Refuge SPA de Saint-Légier-la-Chiésaz

2-3. Paul Nash: Letter from Paul Nash to Margaret Nash 4 July 1913. Tate Archive: Gift of Anstice Shaw, September 1983 © Tate

4. Barbara Hepworth: Volume of sculpture records 1962. Page 15. Reproduction of a photograph of ‘Winged Figure’ 1962 (BH315) on the side of the John Lewis building in Oxford Street. Tate Archive. Presented by Barbara Hepworth, December 1972 and her Executors, November 1977 © Bowness, Hepworth Estate

5. Photographer unknown: Photograph of ‘Adam’ by Jacob Epstein c 1938–1939. Tate Archive

6. Nigel Henderson: Photograph of Eduardo and Freda Paolozzi c 1949 – c 1956. Presented to Tate Archive by Stephen and Jo Henderson and the Henderson families, June 2010. © Nigel Henderson Estate

7. Nigel Henderson: Photograph of Eduardo Paolozzi c 1950s. Tate Archive © Nigel Henderson Estate

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