18th-century opera
The 18th century saw an explosion of opera across Europe. Opera houses were built in all the major European cities …
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18th-century theatre
During the 18th century theatre flourished as a popular pastime and many theatres were enlarged and new playhouses …
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Introduction to 18th-century fashion
The fashionable silhouette for men and women in the 18th century.
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Portrait miniatures: the 18th century
ARTISTS IN FOCUS A New Generation of Miniaturists In the early 18th century miniaturists had experimented with way…
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Designs for embroidered fashion: Lady Middleton's pattern
Most of these designs were bequeathed to the Museum as a group in 1973. Nothing is known of their origin and proven…
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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…
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History of samplers: 16th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 16th century. By this time in England samplers had a particular identity – before the introduction and growing availability of printed designs, it was a reference source of patterns and stitches for an embroiderer.
History of samplers: 19th century
A history of embroidery samplers from the 19th century. Samplers began as a practical tool of the embroiderer and over time became a formulaic or occasionally more individual schoolroom exercise.
History of samplers: 14th & 15th century
A history of embroidery samplers in the 14th and 15th century. Samplers began as a practical tool of the embroiderer and over time became a formulaic or occasionally more individual schoolroom exercise. The earliest examples in the Museum’s collection, which were found in Egyptian burial grounds, probably date from the 14th or 15th centuries.
19th-century theatre reading list
19th Century Theatre Reading List
Room 142: Ceramics 20th-century studio
The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Gallery contains experimental and avant garde ceramics which trace the development of studio (or handmade) pottery throughout the 20th century as it came to be seen as a sculptural and abstract art form in its’ own right.
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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Figured in Marble: The Making and Viewing of 18th-Century Sculpture
An authoritative account of 18th-century British sculpture, lavishly illustrated with works of art from the V&A and J. Paul Getty Museums, private collections and churches.
Buy nowEvent - Intercultural Tour - Black Figures on the Dining Table
Mon 11 June 2012 13:00
FREE TALK: Discover the 'Blackamoor' characters that dined at 18th and 19th century banquets, but only for dessert! Spot the early porcelain and later earthenware figures of European representations of black people and the white entertainers who 'blackened up'.
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