A Renaissance Treasury: The Schroder Collection at the Holburne Museum

A Renaissance Treasury unveils the extraordinary Schroder Collection, newly presented at the Holburne Museum in Bath. This catalog celebrates the opening of the museum’s Renaissance Gallery in 2025, offering public access to one of the most distinguished private collections of Renaissance art.

Curated by Caterina Badan, the volume showcases masterpieces of Renaissance silver, paintings, drawings, bronzes, maiolica, and engraved gems, many of which have remained unpublished and unseen until now. Highlights include works by Lucas Cranach the Elder, Hans Holbein the Elder, Hans Burgkmair, and Italian sculptors such as Giambologna.

The collection was assembled by the Schroder banking family between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It reflects the global nature of the Renaissance, with objects crafted from both familiar and exotic materials, spanning diverse styles and techniques. Essays by leading scholars explore the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and motifs across Europe and the East, including Byzantine and Ottoman influences.
Each section of the catalog is introduced by an expert and includes in-depth commentary on selected works. The publication draws inspiration from historical treasury displays, aiming to make this exceptional collection accessible to a wider audience through both scholarship and visual richness.