The History of Art Department offers expert supervision to research students in a wide range of topics based on the interests of individual members of staff and drawing upon the rich resources of the area. The University Library has been built up over five centuries. In addition to its excellent modern collection of art history books covering all periods, it is particularly strong in 18th and 19th century material, including art theory and criticism, archaeology and travel literature. The unique George Washington Wilson archive contains over 45,000 original glass plate negatives made by this pioneer Victorian photographer.
Visual resources are equally rich.
In addition to its unique William Dyce archive, it has one of the best collections of Victorian painting outside London, with examples of work by almost all the leading Victorian painters. The National Galleries of Scotland, the Burrell Collection, Glasgow Art Gallery and the Hunterian Museum are within easy reach by train, bus or air. Dr J Geddes is the author of a standard book on medieval decorative ironwork. She has also converted one of the University's finest illuminated manuscripts, The Aberdeen Bestiary, to the World Wide Web. Her other interests are Viking, Romanesque and Gothic Art.