Art collections

Alongside its archival holdings, Essex Record Office looks after a significant collection of art.

The collection is especially strong in classical portraiture but also contains examples of the modern art movement of the 1950s and 1960s, many with a strong Essex connection, archaeological reconstruction paintings, Dutch genre paintings and Essex landscapes. The dates of execution of the collection are 1570-date.

Several paintings are displayed in public areas of the ERO building, and digital images of many others are available, both on Art UK and on our Flickr pages.

Accessing the art collections

• See the paintings on display in public spaces at ERO. Some are hanging in our reception area, others are in our Searchroom. The displays include selected artworks from the Barrett-Lennard family art collection, examples of 17th- century Dutch paintings, Modern Art oil paintings and screenprints and archaeological reconstructions. Find out how to visit us.
• View digital images of Essex County Council and Essex Record Office artworks on the Art UK website
• Find out more about some of the paintings at ERO on Flickr
• If you would like to see a piece which is in storage, contact us to discuss

Contact us at ero.enquiry@essex.gov.uk.