Environmental Conditions

Conditions within the Brown Gallery

Data previously collected by The Courtauld Institute of Art using internal sensors in the Brown Gallery indicate the variation of temperature and relatively humidity (RH) throughout the year. As the temperature rises within the Gallery, the RH decreases with the lowest RH detected during the summer period and the highest RH detected during the winter period.

The cyclic nature of variation in temperature and humidity within the Brown Gallery is a key factor in our modelling of environmental conditions.

Data graph of internal sensor measurements of the temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the Brown Gallery, 2015-2016, Data collected by The Courtauld Institute of Art
Chart of internal sensor measurements of the temperature and relative humidity (RH) within the Brown Gallery, 2015-2016, Data collected by The Courtauld Institute of Art

Extrapolating from External Climate Conditions

Using external climate data to extrapolate environmental conditions within the Brown Gallery requires us to consider the difference we may expect between the external and internal conditions.

The nature of the mapping between external climate and internal environmental conditions is another key factor in our modelling of environmental conditions.

Data graph comparing temperature data collected by the Met Office station at Marston, by the National Trust at Knole House, and by researchers from the Courtauld Institute of Art at Knole House, 2000-2016, Data collated by The Courtauld Institute of Art
Chart comparing temperature data collected by the Met Office station at Marston, by the National Trust at Knole House, and by researchers from the Courtauld Institute of Art at Knole House, 2000-2016, Data collated by The Courtauld Institute of Art

Extrapolating from Historical Climate Conditions

Met Office data and written climate records are unavailable for approximately the first 250 years following the portraits being commissioned at Knole. To extrapolate the environmental conditions during this period, we draw on historical estimates from palaeoclimatic data.

The nature of the mapping between proxy climate data and internal environmental conditions is another key factor in our modelling of environmental conditions.

Chart of temperature data estimated from palaeoclimatic records
Chart of temperature data estimated from palaeoclimatic records