Illustration

From printed books to botanical art, the V&A collection includes a wide variety of illustration from the fifteenth century to the present day. Original artworks showcase the design process and include sketchbooks, drawings, manuscripts, proofs and printing blocks, and a growing collection of digital art.

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The collection is rich in European botanical illustration, British book illustration, and printed fashion plates. Highlights include work by Aubrey Beardsley, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Rackham, Quentin Blake, Posy Simmonds and Kara Walker, and illustrations of beloved children’s books including Winnie-the-Pooh, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Grimm’s fairy tales.

Collection highlights

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Header image:

Great Logs Coming Down a Mountain River, illustration by Rolf Brandt for the Children's story 'The Story of A Tree' by Stephen McFarlane, gouache, about 1945, Museum no. E.546:2-2005. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London