The art collection and archives

The Head of Arts & Historic Collections and his departments manage and care for the Collection, Library and Archives at Chatsworth for the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement.

Violin on a door, painted by Jan van der Vaart, 1723.

The Devonshire Collection is one of the world's great private collections and is continuously changing. Amassed by generations of the Cavendish family over centuries, from Sir William Cavendish and his wife Bess of Hardwick in the 16th century through to the current Duke of Devonshire, the Collection now gathered at Chatsworth is renowned for its wide range and excellence.

Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, by Thomas Gainsborough, circa 1785-8.

The Collection comprises Old Master and British paintings, portrait miniatures, watercolours, the celebrated collection of Old Master and architectural drawings, court masque designs by Inigo Jones, prints, sculpture, furniture and woodcarving, ceramics, gold and silver, gems and jewellery, minerals, clocks, scientific instruments and mechanical devices, and photographs.