|
 The
Victoria & Albert Museum, known as the V&A, has the
world's greatest collection of fine and applied arts.
Founded in 1852 due to the success
of the Great Exhibition, the museum has been housed in Aston
Webb's grand building since 1909. The building has a
impressive facade and main entrance. As the museum grew
new buildings were erected when needed. Many of these
buildings were intended to be semi-permanent exhibition halls
but all have survived and represent one of the finest groups
of Victorian buildings in the country.
The V&A has around four million
exhibits from all periods and areas of the world. Displays
include sculpture, jewellery, enamels, silver, miniatures,
water-colours, pottery, glass, furniture, weapons, musical
instruments and costume. The 145 of galleries cover
ten acres and are spread over four floors.
The Art and Design galleries
are arranged by themes and by place and date, for example
the Materials & Techniques galleries are arranged by the
type of material.
The six-storey Henry Cole Wing
holds the V&A's collection of paintings, drawings and
prints. In 2001 the restored British Galleries reopened
to the public. These cover British art and design from
1500 - 1900 and include James II's wedding suit and the Great
Bed of Ware.
The V&A, which held its first
photographic exhibition in 1858, is also the home of the National
Collection of Art of Photography. The Canon Photography
Gallery has regularly changing displays.
Daniel Libeskind's controversial
eight-storey ceramic 'Spiral' extension to the V&A is
due to be completed in 2004.
Shop, restaurant, cafe
Admission free
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
London
South Kensington