Guidelines for the acquisition of portraits
1. Introduction
1.1 These guidelines, which are intended to be used in conjunction with the National Library of Australia's Collection Development Policy, elaborate the broad policy statement on the acquisition of portraits, which may be found in the collection development policy.
1.2 The National Library collects portraits of Australians of national significance as well as portraits of individuals and groups who are not necessarily known but who are representative of different occupations or of various social, racial or cultural aspects of Australian life. Portraits are acquired to provide a documentary record of Australian life and achievement.
1.3 Photographs of both categories of portraits are acquired. Portraits in other media, defined in-house as original works, are selected on occasion of Australians of national significance. (Original works include oil paintings, watercolours, drawings, engravings, and portrait busts and statues. The Library does not generally acquire busts and other three-dimensional representations but on rare occasions they may be acquired when they conform to the guidelines, particularly if other visual representations are lacking.)
2. Australians of National Significance
2.1 Choice of medium
Photographs and original works portraying Australians of national significance are acquired. Generally, the Library prefers to acquire photographic portraits but will on occasion purchase original works. In respect of the medium, the main considerations influencing a decision to acquire include the following:
2.1.1 Research value
In many published works Australian historians, biographers and other researchers have partly based their interpretations of outstanding figures on paintings, drawings and photographs of those figures. In some instances they have been able to compare portraits made at different times in a person's life to show the changes brought about not just by age but by success or failure, triumph or tragedy. A painted portrait, if it exists, will sometimes provide information or insights that cannot be derived from black and white photographs of the same person, and vice versa. If a choice is available, the Library will therefore try to select a range of portraits, including possibly both original works and photographs, of a particular individual whose importance seems indisputable. If uncertain as to whether to acquire an original work, the exhibition potential of the portrait will be considered (see 4.1.4).
Other notable Australians will be represented in the collection but because their achievements or influence were more circumscribed, research use of these portraits will necessarily be more occasional and limited. In such cases it will usually be sufficient for the Library to obtain a photograph, or perhaps a few photographs. Original works will not be acquired.
2.1.2 Availability
For nineteenth and early twentieth century subjects an original work might be the only choice available. For contemporary subjects photographic portraits are more commonly available and generally meet the documentary needs of the collection. The Library does not commission original portraits or seek them out but does on occasion commission black and white photographs. If offered, an original portrait will be assessed against the selection criteria listed below.
2.2 Selection criteria
The selection of portraits of Australians of national significance is based on the following considerations.
2.2.1 The eligibility of the subject
In order to be considered for acquisition a portrait must be of an Australian of national significance. Determining whether the subject is of national significance includes consideration of whether, at the national level, the subject is pre-eminent within a particular field of endeavour, has achieved fame or recognition for a particular deed or achievement, or has had an impact or influence on public imagination and actions, and the extent to which they are likely to sustain public interest and achieve historical importance. It is recognised that there are various degrees of national significance and that some individuals will be indisputably more significant and historically important than others.
2.2.2 The documentary value of the portrait
Portraits acquired must provide an authentic record of the physical appearance of the subject. In addition, some suggestion of the field of achievement of the subject is looked for in background details, dress or any objects shown in the portrait.
The extent to which the portrait offers insights into the personality and character of the sitter, and the originality of the portrayal, are also considered important. For some individuals an original portrait as well as a photographic portrait may be acquired if it is considered that they provide differing insights. However, for an original portrait to be preferred to a photographic portrait when both are available, the original work should display this quality to a much greater degree (see 2.2.1).
In the case of original works, a portrait painted from life is preferred to one painted from a photograph, as being more likely to provide the added dimension of character insight. The relationship of the artist to the sitter may also be of relevance here.
Non-representational works of subjects are not collected as generally these do not convey documentary information about the subject's appearance.
Cartoons that offer insights to personality and character will be considered for acquisition.
2.2.3 The time of life of the subject depicted
For all individuals, priority is given to acquiring portraits that portray their subjects at a significant time during their life and career. For those Australians of indisputable national significance and historical importance, the Library also aims to acquire portraits that depict them at various stages of their lives. This is generally achieved retrospectively.
2.2.4 Contribution to the collection
The extent to which a subject is already represented in the pictorial collection is taken into account when considering acquisitions. Individuals of indisputable national and historical importance will be represented by a greater range of portraits than will people of lesser importance.
2.2.5 Balance of the collection
The Library aims to develop a balanced collection of portraits that includes subjects from a range of fields and areas of activity. At any given time, preference may be given to acquiring portraits relating to a particular subject area in order to develop the collection in that area.
2.2.6 Authenticity and provenance
Only named portraits whose provenance can be established will be acquired.
3. Representative Portraits
3.1 Photographic portraits of individuals or groups which represent aspects of Australian life and which contribute to the social record of the time are collected. These portraits indicate something about the lives, attitudes or customs of the individuals portrayed or depict individuals within a context which has social documentary significance. Portraits in this category are not necessarily of identified individuals.
3.2 The main considerations taken into account in selecting representative portraits include:
- the amount of documentary detail revealed by the individuals portrayed and/or the context in which they are shown
- the social and historical importance of what is depicted
- the extent to which the subject depicted is already represented in the collection
4. Secondary Considerations (Both Categories)
4.1 Secondary considerations that may influence selection decisions for both categories of portraits include:
4.1.1 The standing of the artist
While the significance of the subject is the predominant consideration, the reputation and standing of the artist is considered as it is recognised that the documentary value of a work is often linked to the skills, insight and imagination of the maker. However, the Library will not acquire a portrait solely in order to secure the representation of an artist in its collection.
4.1.2 Complementarity with other collections
In selecting portraits, some consideration is given to the work's complementarity with other Library collections, especially the manuscripts and oral history collections.
4.1.3 Cost
Cost is a practical consideration, rather than a determinant. Cost includes not only the purchase price but also the costs associated with preservation work, storage, and fulfilling any conditions governing the acquisition.
The potential of a portrait for exhibition is considered secondary. It may be a deciding factor, all other considerations being equal.
4.1.5 Aesthetic values
The aesthetic attributes of the work will also be taken into account, all primary considerations for selection being equal.
