Development of the portrait miniatures gallery, 2005

The International Music and Art Foundation Gallery

In March 2005, the V&A opened a new portrait miniatures gallery, generously funded by the International Music and Art Foundation.

The V&A has the national collection of British portrait miniatures, a unique watercolour art form which developed during the reign of Henry VIII and had its heyday in the reign of Queen Victoria before the rise in popularity of photography.  The gallery includes masterpieces by Hans Holbein, the Elizabethan Nicholas Hilliard, Samuel Cooper who worked for both Cromwell and Charles II, and Richard Cosway, miniature painter to the Prince Regent.

Designer

The gallery was designed by Casson Mann who also designed the Julie and Robert Breckman Gallery of Prints and Drawing.

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This development was completed as part of FuturePlan

FuturePlan is transforming the V&A by revitalising visitor facilities and redisplaying the collections. Using the best architects and designers, we are bringing the V&A into the 21st century and restoring modern design and innovation to the heart of the museum.