Collection Articles
Art - Oct 2024
Art in 'Planet Ocean' - Part Two
In the second of two posts highlighting the works of art from our permanent collection that are on display in our 'Planet Ocean' exhibition, we're looking at a distinctive piece of studio pottery by Robert Wallace Martin and paintings by Lionel Ellis, Harold C Harvey and Wyn George.
Art - Oct 2024
Art in 'Planet Ocean' - Part One
There are some wonderful works of art from Plymouth's permanent collection in the 'Planet Ocean' exhibition (until 27 April 2025). In the first of two blog posts, we take a look at paintings by Bryan Wynter, Stanhope Forbes and Herbert Francis Williams-Lyouns and a piece of decorative art by Morel Doucet.
News - Sep 2024
Portraits to make you think
If you're looking around our 'Children and Young People's Portrait Competition' display you're bound to notice these two wonderful portraits from our art collection. They're on show with a selection of other materials to complement the 160+ competition entries we received and shed more light on portraiture in its many different forms. Find out more about them here - and catch them before the display comes to an end on 29 September.
News - Aug 2024
Take a look around
Are you a regular visitor to The Box? Are you planning to visit for the first time? There are lots of interesting things dotted around our building that complement our changing exhibitions and permanent galleries. Here are a few things to look out for. If you follow them in this order it makes a nice trail!
News - Aug 2024
Global Plymouth - a new journey
If you head into our '100 Journeys' gallery you'll notice a brand new case display. It introduces our 'Global Plymouth' project which is enabling us to work with audiences, artists and communities to make changes to the space over the next year or two.
Collections - Jul 2024
Did local tin kickstart the European Bronze Age?
Devon and Cornwall are sometimes portrayed as a bit of a back water. In prehistory, when great changes occur, Britain is usually seen as being on the periphery. Things arrive from elsewhere and we’re on the outer ripples of innovation. But could there be more to the far South West than meets the eye?
Collections - Feb 2024
Castle Street ceramics help shed light on Commercial Wharf finds
At the beginning of 2022 Plymouth Archaeology Society noticed that 17th century ceramics were being uncovered during repairs to a harbour wall at Commercial Wharf. Their investigation revealed evidence about the sequence of building at the site and was featured in an episode of the BBC's ‘Digging for Britain’.
History - Jan 2024
Archives insight: Devonport 200
Did you know 1 January 2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the town of Dock (or Plymouth-Dock) becoming known as Devonport?
Moving Image - Nov 2023
World Digital Preservation Day 2023 – reflecting on practice
The climate emergency has prompted archives and museums to reflect on our carbon footprints and rethink the way we work. Reducing the environmental impact within our collections care work has mainly been addressed through building design and revisions to how we maintain the physical collections entrusted to us. Research is now focussing on the impact of digital archiving which has become part of the standard remit of most services today.
Art - Oct 2023
Meet..... Lady Jane Grey
The woman at the centre of the giant history painting that is undergoing a conservation assessment at The Box until 4 October had a fascinating but tragic life. Find out more about Lady Jane Grey – otherwise known as the ‘Nine Days’ Queen’.
Art - Sep 2023
Meet..... Solomon Hart
Solomon Hart was one of the most respected British artists of the 1800s, but how much do you know about this Plymouth-born artist who went on to become the first Jewish Royal Academician? Here's your chance to learn a little more about his life.
Art - Sep 2023
Pink Coffee Pot
This distinctive, brightly coloured coffee pot is part of a set that also includes a tea pot, sugar bowl, jug and cups. It is currently on display in the large case in our 'People and Place: Art Collection showcase' gallery.