The Victoria and Albert Museum is part of the great complex of museums in South Kensington (the others being the Natural History Museum, the Geological Museum and the Science Museum). The idea of the "V and A" came from Prince Albert, and the museum was originally financed from the profits of the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Museum was opened in 1857 in the building which now houses the Bethnal Green Museum.
The foundation stone of the present building was laid by Queen Victoria in 1899, and it was formally opened by Edward VII in 1909 as the national museum of fine and applied arts. With its extensive collections of material from many countries and many periods it is one of the world's great art museums.
The exhibits are arranged in two groups - the Primary Collections, in which masterpieces in every field of art are brought together by style, period and country of origin, and the Study Collections, in which the objects are grouped according to the material used (wood, metal, ceramics, textiles, etc.). Every department of the museum contains a great range of treasures - whether in the field of Byzantine and early medieval art, ceramics and porcelain, prints and drawings, metalwork or musical instruments.
The museum has a valuable collection of paintings, including many works by Constable in the Henry Cole Wing, but it is notable also for its collection of British miniatures and watercolors and for the cartoons designed by Raphael for Pope Leo X in 1516. The textile department is of great interest, but so, too, are the departments of costume, woodcarving, alabasters and ivories. The furniture is displayed in a series of rooms completely furnished in period style. The collections of Islamic and Far Eastern art are of notable quality. Further attractive collections include weaponry and jewelery. Richly decorated rooms to the rear of the ground floor, the Morris Room and Poynter Room, which once housed the first museum restaurant in England, are of particular interest.
With such a wealth of valuable and interesting material, it is not possible within the compass of this guide to list even a selection of the finest exhibits. At first, a collection of this size appears to be a conglomeration and may easily overwhelm the visitor. The best plan - since it is manifestly impossible to get round the whole museum in a single visit - is to study the plans and decide which items or sections you particularly want to see. If you want to study some particular field in more detail it is well worth while purchasing the current catalogue of the museum, which will also give information about new acquisitions or rearrangements of the exhibits.
These typically Victorian courts were designed for art students who lacked the funds to travel to distant places where they would be able to use the original architecture as their backgrounds.
There is a permanent exhibition of historical costumes from the Renaissance period to the present. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive costume collections in the world.
Textiles and embroideries are incorporated into exhibitions which deal with particular periods, such as medieval, Elizabethan and 17th century.
Church vestments from the eighth through the 12th centuries are displayed in a special gallery.
The museum boasts a superb textile study room which contains examples of virtually every kind of known textile technique.
Throughout the various sections of this exhibition can be found displays relating to Chinese burials, temples and worship, lifestyles of wealthy Chinese, complete with a canopied bed and other decorations, the Imperial Court, daily household items and collector's pieces of Chinese art.
The most famous piece to be found in this gallery is Tippoo's Tiger. Other important pieces include a variety of arms, armor, clothing, pottery and examples of Indian art.
A number of porcelains, ceramics and lacquerware are to be found alongside the armaments, costumes, religious artifacts and daily items of this gallery.
The Ardabil Carpet, the largest Persian carpet in the world, forms the centerpiece of this impressive collection of Islamic art. Other pieces of note include a Persian gold enameled dagger with sheath, Spanish ivory boxes and, carved from a block of crystal, a 10th century Egyptian ewer.
Key among this collection are the Russian imperial jewels, the French imperial jewels and the Cory diamonds. Other bejeweled items such as snuff boxes and watches are also to be found in the collection.
The Gloucester candlestick of the 12th century forms the main piece for this collection. Also to be found among the treasures are a number of ivory carvings, goldwork, the Rouen treasure and fine 12th century stained glass.
This gallery features 20th century art in the forms of books, clothing, furniture, stained glass, silverware, fabrics and an assortment of other consumer goods.
A variety of silverware from England, the continent, Russia and South America is included in this display in the Victoria and Albert. Its forms include traditional tableware, toys, enameled boxes and the treasured Pusey Horn.
The Raphäel Cartoons in the Victoria and Albert, depicting the Acts of the Apostles, were originally designed for tapestries for Pope Leo X in 1515. The seven on display are currently on loan from Queen Elizabeth II.
The stained glass collection in the Victoria and Albert Museum includes 12th to 16th century glass. Some is from England but most is from continental sources. This collection is distributed throughout the museum.
This collection includes examples of Frank Lloyd Wright's work in furniture, printing, metalwork, books and graphics. He is best known for his architectural skills, in which he would design both the layout of the building and the furnishings that would go with it.
Address: Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL, England
Hours:
10am-5:45pm; Wed:10am-10pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Good Friday - Christian
Tips: Inquire about guided tours at the information desk. Voluntary entry charge.
A program of special exhibitions and lectures is available at the Information desk.
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Guides: Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Transit: Underground: South Kensington; Buses: 14, 45A, 49, 74, 349.
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The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Night view of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Front exterior of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
