The Prints and Drawings Rooms hold artworks on paper from Tate’s collection. They are situated on the upper floor of the Clore Gallery at Tate Britain.
All visitors are welcome to access these artworks, whether for pleasure or academic study.
Prints and Drawings Rooms holdings
The Prints and Drawings Rooms Holdings range from the sketchbooks and watercolours in the Turner Bequest to modern and contemporary prints and drawings by leading international artists.
Resources
Our knowledgeable staff can:
- answer your enquiries
- help you select artworks
- give talks for groups on selections of artworks.
You can:
- use the online catalogue to compile a selection of artworks
- access a comprehensive reference library relating to Turner’s life and work, and major reference catalogues for other artists
- sketch and paint from artworks in pencil and watercolour.
Opening hours
Open Monday – Friday and the first Saturday of the month
- Morning: 10.30–13.00
- Afternoon: 14.00–16.30
We advise you to check in advance that the artworks you wish to see are available.
Contact
Call +44 (0) 20 7887 8042 / 8657
Email studyroom@tate.org.uk
Fax +44 (0) 20 7887 8658
Prints and Drawings Rooms
Tate Britain
Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
United Kingdom
Visiting the Prints and Drawings Rooms
- All visitors are asked to make an appointment in advance of their visit.
- Groups of up to 15 can be accommodated with advance notice.
- Wheelchairs are easily accommodated and arrangements can be made for individual access needs.
- First time visitors are required to complete a registration form and to produce one of the following proofs of identity:
- passport / national identity card
- driving licence
- student card. - Visitors may handle mounted artworks but access to very fragile items such as bound sketchbooks is restricted. Images from sketchbooks can be viewed in reproductions or on microfilm.
Prints and Drawings Rooms rules
- Please deposit all coats, hats, bags and briefcases by the invigilation desk or in the main cloakroom (by the Manton entrance). You will not be allowed to take these to your seat. However, you are welcome to retrieve items you need, such as a notepad and laptop.
- Any items you bring into or take away from the room may be searched.
- All visitors must complete a registration (or group registration) form as well as printing their name and permanent address in the visitors book.
- Visitors intending to handle works must wash their hands: a washbasin is provided.
- Eating and drinking are NOT permitted. Please leave food and drink in your bag.
- The staff on duty will explain the procedure for choosing works. When you have decided what you wish to see, works will be delivered to you.
- Mounted works are normally shown on request. However, access to certain fragile works, such as sketchbooks, will be restricted.
- Please remember that you will be handling original works of art. They are fragile and should be treated with the utmost care. You will be given a demonstration of the correct handling procedure. Always handle objects by the extreme edge of the mount and in such a way that the image remains face upwards. The surface of works of art must never be touched.
- Only pencil should be used at the desks. Please ask to borrow a pencil if required. If you wish to copy from a work please ask the staff on duty.
- Non-flash photography is permitted for mounted works only. It is NOT permitted for fragile sketchbooks (which cannot usually be placed on stands). Reproductions and custom prints can be obtained through Tate’s image library Tate Images.