The V&A collections include many representations of African people in a variety of media, ranging from painted portraits, prints and photographs to images in illuminated manuscripts, stained glass and heraldic devices, as well as material relating to the slave trade and abolitionism.
Africans in Medieval & Renaissance Art: The Moor's Head
The use of the 'moor's head' as a heraldic device dates from the 13th century. The emblem has connections to the Crusades, reflecting associating individual families with v…
Read article
Africans in Medieval & Renaissance Art: Servant and Attendant
A fashion for possessing black domestic servants developed in Europe in the mid 15th century. Black African servants were used as status symbols by their owners.
Read article
Africans in Medieval & Renaissance Art: Duke Alessandro de' Medici
Alessandro de' Medici (1511-37), was a member of the powerful Italian family of merchants, bankers, rulers, patrons and collectors, who dominated the political and cultural…
Read article
Africans in Medieval and Renaissance Art: Heathen
The colour black has long been used to evoke a negative image, and the colour white a positive one. In the later Middle Ages, the persecutors of Jesus were sometimes depict…
Read article
Africans in Medieval & Renaissance Art: The Three Kings
Medieval and Renaissance depictions of the visit of the three wise men or kings to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus frequently depicted one of the kings as a bla…
Read article
Images of Slavery & Abolitionism
Although other European countries were involved in transatlantic trade, including the trade in enslaved African people, it was Britain which dominated this trade during the…
Read article
Silver Service Slavery: The Black Presence in the White Home
Black Britons worked in a variety of professions; as sailors, shopkeepers, artisans, labourers, peddlers and street musicians, amongst others. The biggest employment sector…
Read article
Two African Gentlemen in London
This engraved double portrait presents two early African visitors to London. The image appeared as a bookplate in The Gentleman's Magazine & Historical Chronicle in 1750.
Read article
Bust of a Black Boy, Attributed to Joannes Claudius de Cock, 1705-10
Bust of a Black Boy. This early 18th century marble bust of a black boy in the Victoria & Albert Museum's (V&A) collections is an intriguing object which asks more question…
Read article
Francis Williams: A Portrait of an Early Black Writer
This is a portrait of Francis Williams, the first recorded black writer in the British Empire. It was painted around 1745 by an unknown artist, who was probably based in Ja…
Read article
Become a V&A Member
V&A Members enjoy a wealth of benefits, including free entry to exhibitions, previews, exciting events and the V&A Members’ Room. In addition, you will be supporting the vital work of the V&A.
Buy or Renew Membership OnlineShop online
Figures & Fictions: Contemporary South African Photography (HB)
Figures and Fictions presents the work of 17 South African photographers, all of whom are currently living and working in the country. It features wor…
Buy nowEvent - Treasures of the Royal Courts: The Art of Icon Painting
Fri 14 June 2013 10:30
3 DAY PRACTICAL WORKSHOP: Discover the skills needed to create a sacred work of art in the Russo-Byzantine style.
Book online
