Sir Neil Cossons OBE

Painting. Sir Neil Cossons OBE, by Keith Holmes, artist in residence at the Science Museum, 1994 to 1996, completed 1999. Oil on board; image 102x121cm in frame by artist, 107x125x3.5cm. Left hand panel of a triptych about the Science Museum: looking at curatorship. The Director is seated working in his office, a modern manager using communications technologies. Behind him looking over his shoulder, a Parianware bust of Albert Prince Consort [by Brown-Westhead Moore Co, 1862; our Inv.1991-79], and hints of past curatorship and industrial heritage, Ironbridge; on the desk, present and future science including DNA, 60 molecular model, plan of the Wellcome Wing opening 2000, pictorial heritage represented by postcard of oil painting 'Coalbrookdale by Night' by Loutherbourg 1801 (Inv.1952-452), and a prism reflecting also the PRISM Fund and museum outreach programme; entry ticket hints at museum charges issue