The 18th century saw the rise of a number of highly influential interior designers and architects such as James ‘Athenian’ Stuart, Robert Adam and Horace Walpole. A number of rooms from 18th-century houses have been reconstructed in the V&A’s British Galleries.
James 'Athenian' Stuart (1713–1788)
James 'Athenian' Stuart is a compelling figure in the history of British design. Widely recognised for his central role in pioneering Neo-Classicism, Stuart developed his i…
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Robert Adam: Neo-Classical Architect and Designer
Robert Adam (1728–92) was one of the most important British architects working in the Neo-Classical style. He was a main force in the development of a unified style that ex…
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Horace Walpole & Strawberry Hill
Horace Walpole (1717–97) was the youngest son of Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first Prime Minister. An influential historian, collector, social commentator and man of lett…
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Norfolk House Music Room
The Norfolk House Music Room contains the panelling from the Music Room and the doorways from the Great Room of Norfolk House. It is currently on display in the British Gal…
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Audio: The Henrietta Street room
The interior designer David Mlinaric discusses the Henrietta Street Room
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Audio: Thomas Barrett's Study at Lee Priory
The 18th-century writer and collector Horace Walpole commenting on Lee Priory
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Design for a Vaulted Ceiling, by Vincenzo Brenna, about 1775
This highly finished and elegantly drawn design was executed by the Italian architect, interior decorator and decorative painter Vincenzo Brenna (1745-1820) around 1776. It…
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Goods & Services Provided by the Upholsterer
Upholsterers could be involved in almost all aspects of the design of interiors, and featured in this page is an illustration demonstrating the work of an upholsterer.
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18th-Century Buildings & Interiors Reading List
Recommended reading about Neo-Classical architecture, interiors and decorative arts, ranging from general overviews to specialist titles and monographs.
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A gift in your will
You may not have thought of including a gift to a museum in your will, but the V&A is a charity and legacies form an important source of funding for our work. It is not just the great collectors and the wealthy who leave legacies to the V&A. Legacies of all sizes, large and small, make a real difference to what we can do and your support can help ensure that future generations enjoy the V&A as much as you have.
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English Porcelain
'Young's book is quite simply the best history of early English porcelain there is' Apollo This is the first book of its kind to explore the 18th-cent…
Buy nowEvent - Beatrix Potter and the beautiful satin waistcoat
Mon 03 June 2013 13:00
GALLERY TALK: Explore Beatrix Potter with Frances Willis.
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