Researching the Permanent Collection
We are continually conducting research on the collection of works in the permanent collection. While we do have extensive records on acquisitions, artists, donors, and exhibitions, the Martin Museum is always discovering new information about its collection, through scholarly research and while planning for new exhibitions. We have recently migrated to a new, cloud-based, collections database, and are looking forward to extending this project over into a front-facing database, which will allow for the collection to be viewed, easily, by the public.
During 2022- 2023, while planning for the exhibition, In the Ring: Goya’s La Tauromaquia, extensive reading and research was done utilizing “Tomás Harris’, Goya- Engravings and Lithographs, Catalogue Raisonné, Vol. I, II”. Considered the premiere, source reference guide for Goya’s graphic output, Harris’ wealth of detailed information, along with other, additional resources, helped to confirm the Goya print series included in the Martin’s permanent collection, was in fact a complete 7th edition series, and one of 150 sets, printed in Madrid, 1937, by Rupérez in the Calcografia for the Ministerio de Instrucción Pública, during the Spanish Civil War. Complete 7th edition series of La Tauromaquia are extremely rare, so it is quite exciting that the Martin Museum has this important series in its collection, and additionally, can share it with the public for viewing.