The Lady Cohen Collection
Charlotte Elizabeth Vandenhoff, by Samuel John Stump
The Lady Cohen Collection, an important collection of portrait miniatures, is now on permanent display at Kenwood House. The collection features 65 miniatures by some of the foremost artists of the 18th and 19th Centuries and was given to English Heritage via Art’s Council England’s Cultural Gift scheme.
The Lady Cohen Collection complements and enhances the existing collection of portrait miniatures in the care of English Heritage at Kenwood, both strengthening the representation of certain key artists and enriching the collection through the addition of works by hitherto unrepresented significant artists. In particular, the acquisition significantly enhances the existing collection of early-to-mid-19th century miniatures, which were previously unevenly represented at Kenwood.
To date, funding support provided by the Friends of Kenwood has supported a variety of activities around not only the Lady Cohen Collection but also the Draper Gift miniatures. This includes a complete condition survey undertaken by specialist miniatures conservator Alan Derbyshire, as well as the treatment of more than 40 miniatures. Funding has also helped to improve storage provisions for miniatures at Kenwood, which is all important for the long-term care of these highly sensitive objects. Visitors to Kenwood will be able to see at any one time a selection of highlights from the Lady Cohen Collection. These small rotating displays will be shown in a bespoke case, the commission of which was made possible by the Friends of Kenwood. Owing to their sensitivity to light and fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity, miniatures should not be on long-term display, so the displays will be rotated every 3-4 months. This will allow visitors to enjoy looking at and learning about just a few miniatures at a time, and over time, repeat visitors to Kenwood will have the opportunity to see the Lady Cohen Collection in its entirety.
Funding from the Friends will also support high resolution photography of The Lady Cohen Collection, making it possible for visitors to explore the collection digitally via the English Heritage website.
Please see here a letter acknowledging Friends’ help:
