Dresser and the V&A

Dresser was a prize-winning student at the Government School of Design, a crucial institution in the founding of the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum)

Dresser was still a student at the school at the time of Henry Cole's arrival as director in 1852, which became the Department of Practical Art at the newly founded South Kensington Museum. He was to participate in a number of Cole's schemes during a long association with the Museum.

Dresser's first employment was at the School of Design's Female School, as a lecturer in art-botany in 1854. In 1855 he was appointed lecturer in botany and art–botany at the School of Design at South Kensington, where he stayed until 1869.

Dresser first appearance in print was in 1856, in a botanical illustration for Owen Jones's 'Grammar of Ornament' the most important Victorian design source-book. He acted as Owen Jones's assistant in the decoration of the Indian and Chinese Courts at the new South Kensington Museum building, 1856-7.

Dresser was closely involved with Henry Cole's series of International Exhibitions, held annually at South Kensington, 1871–74. Dresser links with South Kensington remained and in 1876 he went as their representative on an official visit to Japan, to advise the Japanese government on the progress of design and manufactures and to report on Japan's art, architecture and crafts. Many purchases were made for the Museum's Far Eastern collections through Dresser's importing firm of Londos.

The V&A held and exhibition in 1951, Victorian and Edwardian
Decorative Arts in which Dresser was featured following his rediscovery after a period of long neglect after his death. In addition to the current exhibition, Dresser is also displayed in several galleries as part of the V&A's permanent collection, including a display devoted to Dresser's work and influence in the Victorian section of the British Galleries