Thumbnail of Miniature libraries from the Children's Books Collections

Miniature libraries from the Children's Books Collections

John Marshall began publishing miniature libraries for children in 1800. Confident, perhaps, that his innovation would galvanise the children's book market, he produced his first three libraries 'almost simultaneously'. His remarkable success prompted imitations from the most prominent names in children's publishing in the early years of the 19th century.

Thumbnail of Miniature libraries reading list

Miniature libraries reading list

Reading list about Miniature libraries from the Children's Books Collections

Thumbnail of Subjects for sculpture: portrait busts

Subjects for sculpture: portrait busts

Funerary monuments and portrait busts were the most common ways in which people were commemorated in sculpture. Sometimes the two were combined: a bust was placed on a funerary monument, or a copy of a bust on a church monument was displayed in the family house.

Thumbnail of The Conservation of the Portrait Bust of Giovanni de'Medici (later Pope Leo X)

The Conservation of the Portrait Bust of Giovanni de'Medici (later Pope Leo X)

The Cardinal Giovanni de'Medici bust is a rare example of a Renaissance terracotta portrait bust which has retained its original paint, as many were stripped during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Thumbnail of Ivories 1600-1800: Portraits

Ivories 1600-1800: Portraits

Portraits in ivory were fashionable in the 17th and 18th centuries. Generally elephant or walrus ivory was used. Since the pieces were limited in size the portraits tended to be small, yet they could still be monumental in form.

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton

8 February – 22 April 2012

Featuring portraits of Queen Elizabeth II by royal photographer Cecil Beaton, this exhibition celebrates Her Majesty in her roles as princess, monarch and mother and coincides with the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

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The Portrait Miniature in England

The Portrait Miniature in England

A fascinating account of the development of English miniature painting featuring masterpieces from the V&A's collection.

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Event - Create! Portrait Photography

Sat 14 January 2012–Sat 10 March 2012

YOUNG PEOPLE’S EVENT: Develop your digital photography skills, with a professional portrait photographer. Find out how to set up lighting for shoots. Discover how to take photos to capture the character of a person.

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