Published 20/09/2013
What's your role at Bridgeman Images?
I'm the all-round problem solver! I manage the office, the library’s physical archives and work with the digital collection. I also liaise with our Sales Team to support the flow of digital orders and queries. This includes checking the quality, colour and orientation of an image. As well as looking at whether it has been cropped, cleaned or restored.
One of our many strengths is that we are surrounded by the original transparencies. If something is flagged up, we can cross-check with the original.
What do you love most about your job?
I started working here after moving from Belgium to London. I love the unexpected. I remember visiting museums for a client to check the quality and colour of their printer’s proofs against the paintings.
What misconceptions do people most commonly have about the archive?
That what's on the website is all we have 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 can even send a photographer to the museum for you.
Bridgeman’s in-house technicians can do everything from digital restoration to scanning a detail at super-size for larger print jobs. Here, we have cut out details for any use (Scene from a Play) and coloured previously black and white images (George 'Beau' Brummell and | Bill Sykes and his dog). This is only a fraction of the services we offer though!
Kat's top picks from our archive
Woman at the Edge of the Water
The light on Belgian beaches can be very surprising. Here, Spilliaert captures the constant colour changes of sea and sand.
Portrait of Saskia van Uylenburgh
This portrait of Rembrandt’s first wife shows a lady of great wealth. Apparently falling in love with the artist was below her status.
From the Triptych of the Temptation of St. Anthony
The weird and wonderful world of Hieronymus Bosch continues to intrigue me. The everyday world he lived in must have been full of contradictions and beliefs. The scenes he paint lay bare the cruel reality of the late-Middle Ages.
Self-Portrait on the Borderline between Mexico and the United States
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.
Shield, Cheyenne
I love tribal art. This Native American shield caught my eye.
Knights attacking elephants
Elephants were scarce in 15th Century France. I guess if you've never seen an elephant, this is as good as it gets!
Find out more
Need help with a project? Contact our team of in-house experts to source the cultural and historical footage and stills that you need. Our archive is growing all the time so there's always something new to discover. We also offer research and retouching services.