The Archive Photo Collection was established in 1958 as the designated archive for object photographs and excavation images supporting the activities of the Hungarian National Museum. Its foundations were formed by documentary analogue photographs commissioned by the Department of Archaeology and the Department of Medieval Studies. Over time, the collection expanded through official object photography, organisational restructuring, bequests, other targeted acquisitions, and systematic digitisation.Today, the collection comprises nearly 100,000 items, organised into thematic sub-collections that support research in archaeology, history, and art history. The holdings are characterised by considerable technical diversity. They include early black-and-white glass plates in various formats (6 × 6, 6 × 9, 9 × 12, 13 × 18 cm, and larger), master film negatives, slides, and positive paper prints produced using a wide range of photographic processes. All materials are stored under special conservation conditions appropriate to their status as museum objects. Among the most outstanding holdings are the photographic series depicting the Holy Crown of Hungary and the coronation regalia.
Contact Dr. Eszter Apor, apor.eszter@hnm.hu
Researching the Archive Photo Collection is available by appointmentand. The preparation of analogue photographs requires a longer processing time; the use of digitised images is subject to a contract.
Unknown photographer: The Holy Crown at Buda Castle, 1938, paper positive print made from a glass negative.
MNMKK MNM, Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection, Department of Archaeology – Medieval Goldsmith Collection.
Photograph by an unknown photographer, paper positive photograph, MNMKK MNM Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection
Photograph by an unknown photographer; flat film negative, MNMKK MNM Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection – Estate Negative Collection, Estate of Domokos Varjú Estate
A photograph by an unknown photographer, glass negative, MNMKK MNM Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection – Roman Metal Plate Collection
A photograph of an unknown photographer, glass negative, MNMKK MNM Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection – Old Plate Collection
Photograph by an unknown photographer, positive albumen paper photograph, MNMKK MNM Central Archive, Archive Photo Collection – Archaeological Artefact Photo Collection, 42.d. (Seals)
