Benedetto Gennari (1633–1715), The Death of Cleopatra (detail), 1686. © Victoria Art Gallery, Bath and North East Somerset Council / The Bridgeman Art Library (BATUG P: 1903.1).

LONDON.-Discoveries: New Research into British Collections is an exciting new exhibition that provides the opportunity to discover some of the hidden treasures held in Britain’s public art collections. Discoveries coincides with the launch of a new online database offering the chance to explore nearly 8000 paintings in UK museums and galleries.

Discoveries will celebrate the work of the National Inventory Research Project (NIRP) – a groundbreaking research project designed to gather and present information about Britain's public art collections, based at the University of Glasgow, with Birkbeck College (University of London) and the National Gallery as partners. Researchers have gone into regional museums to shed new light on European paintings from 1200 to 1900 – uncovering a variety of stories, interpreting symbolism, suggesting attributions and enhancing understanding of a wide range of pictures. The exhibition features eight paintings, spanning 500 years, from institutions across the country. These important examples of the NIRP team’s findings highlight the success of the project, and show how the work has benefited museums and the public alike.

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Luca Giordano (1634–1705), The Death of Seneca, 1650–75. © courtesy of Bolton Museums & Art Gallery (1946.2).