Ben Thompson

My individual contribution to scholarship aims to address the lacuna on caricature painting and modes of Victorian humour in the long nineteenth century. This is based upon close visual forensic analysis. Stylistic and social understandings of artworks act as a catalyst for further historical contextual evaluation.

I wish to reconcile two traditions in relation to historiographical approaches. Firstly, a socially focused contextualisation. Secondly, an object focused explanation of the morphology of caricatures. My visual and close stylistic observations are aimed at expanding the historical knowledge of painted caricatures, comedies, and humorous images.

I have gained insightful knowledge of art through visual interpretation, materials study and treament, both from academic study and experiences in Museums and Galleries.

Valuable experiences from conservation relied upon working with varied stakeholders. I have worked at the Guildhall Art Gallery (London), Broughton House (Kirkcudbright), Crick-Smith studio (Lincoln), and at the Laing Art Gallery (Newcastle-upon-Tyne). Such experiences advanced my manual dexterity, visual and material understanding of art.

Elsewhere, I have enjoyed visiting the National Gallery (Edinburgh), The Wallace Collection (London), and the Musee Jacquemart Andre (Paris). Seeing artworks in the flesh allows scholarly and wider public interests alike to be included and informed.