The Prints and Drawings Rooms

The Prints and Drawings Rooms at Tate Britain provide an ideal space where works on paper can be viewed in favourable conditions. It is a comfortable environment for study and research, although we encourage anyone with an interest in works on paper to come and use the rooms to enjoy looking at the collection.

Alongside watercolours and drawings by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century artists, the Turner Bequest was initially the main collection of works to be seen here. The range of works on paper which can be viewed in the Prints and Drawings Rooms has since expanded.

In September 1999 the Prints and Drawings Room extended its facilities with the opening of a brand new room for viewing modern prints. Visitors can now access a wide range of prints by British and international twentieth-century artists.

Looking at works on Paper

The sheer number of works on paper in the Tate Collection means that only a small selection can be shown at any one time, and the vulnerable nature of these works also limits the amount of exposure they can have.

A large proportion of the prints, drawings and watercolours in the Tate Collection are held in these Prints and Drawings Rooms, situated on the second floor of the Clore Gallery at Tate Britain.

Members of the public are welcome to make an appointment to view works on paper which are not on display in the galleries.

 

Access

• All visitors are asked to make an appointment in advance.
• First time visitors are required to complete a registration form and to produce proof of identity, with either a passport / national identity card, a driving licence, student card or an official letter showing permanent address.
• Visitors are permitted to handle mounted works on paper but access to very fragile items such as bound sketchbooks is restricted. It is possible to view images contained within sketchbooks in reproductions or on microfilm.
• We can accommodate study groups, limited to twelve persons per group.
• There is wheelchair access to the Prints and Drawings Room via the Clore Gallery lift.

Services and facilities

• Dedicated staff are always available to help visitors select works to view and to answer enquiries.
• There is a comprehensive reference library of books relating to Turner's life and work, plus some of the main reference catalogues for other artists.
• The online catalogue of Tate's Collection can be accessed in both of the Prints and Drawings Rooms.
• Visitors are permitted to sketch or make watercolour copies of works in the collection

How to contact us

Prints and Drawings Rooms
Tate Britain
Millbank
London
SW1P 4RG

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7887 8042 / 8657
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7887 8658
Email: studyroom@tate.org.uk

Opening hours

The Prints and Drawings Rooms are open by appointment every weekday
Monday – Friday
10.30–13.00 and 14.00–16.30

We also open on the first Saturday of every month
You are advised to enquire in advance about the availability of Saturday appointments.