The Painting Pairs: Art History and Technical Study is supported by the Research Forum, the Courtauld Gallery and the Courtauld Institute’s Department of Conservation, and these presentations are open for all to attend.
This programme provides a valuable research opportunity for graduate students enrolled in the MA History of Art, MA Curating the Art Museum, MA Art and Business, and PhD programmes. Selected MA and PhD students are paired with students in the second year of the MA Conservation of Easel Paintings programme, creating collaborative research partnerships between future art historians and conservators.
Over the course of the academic year, each pair has explored the ways in which technical study can contribute to art historical scholarship — and vice versa — through the investigation of a painting undergoing analysis or treatment within the Department of Conservation. The paintings have been selected from both private and public collections, including the Courtauld Gallery.
The program is about to complete its 14th year – with five exceptional pairs of graduate students. In this final session, each pair will reintroduce their painting and key research questions before presenting the results of their sustained research, technical examination, and collaborative investigation.
Organised by Maureen Cross and Pippa Balch (Senior Lecturers in the Conservation of Easel Paintings), and Dr Karen Serres (Senior Curator of Paintings), at the Courtauld.
2025 - 26 Participants:
Paige Strobel and Tobi Makinde, Henry Strachey, Night Pursuing Day (Dante),1918. Private Collection
Daniela Riveros Ramerez and Spencer Geyman, Unknown artist (Venetian), The Madonna Enthroned with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Mary Magdalen, late 14th century. Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Katie Hieb and Juliana Montoya, Crucifixion (Guatemalan), 19th c. Private Collection
Finn McGrath and Esther Hughes, Antonio Zucchi, Grisaille for Robert Adams architectural scheme, 18th c. Harewood House Collection
Sarah Knight and Lucie Slater, Paul Nash, Wood Interior, 1919. Private Collection
