Posted by:
Dawn Hoskin

Assistant Curator, Furniture, Textiles & Fashion

I am an Assistant Curator working on the development of the new Europe 1600-1800 Galleries. My interests are wide-ranging but subjects I have particularly enjoyed exploring for this project include: European depictions of Africa and Africans; Dutch domestic interiors; early ballooning; the gambling halls of 18th-century Venice; the fashion for singeries (depictions of monkeys apeing human behaviour!); wig-making and hairdressing. My 'favourite' object going into the new Europe Galleries changes on an almost daily basis ... I am also Co-Chair of the V&A's LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) Group.

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

The Ballet of Apollo (plus some incredible costumes!)

Today in 1621 the Ballet d’Apollon (Ballet of Apollo), also known as the Ballet du Roy (the King’s Ballet), was first performed by the Ballet de Cour of Louis XIII. This...

Out in the Museum

Queer and Now!

And so with another unashamedly promotional post, I am back to announce that the line-up for this month’s Friday Late has now been made public! From the fringes of the...

Out in the Museum

LGBT History Month Event Programme Announced

We are excited to be able to announce that the programme for this years afternoon of free events to mark LGBT History Month is now fully confirmed and up online!...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

The Treaty of Paris (252 years today)

Today in 1763, the Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed. The Treaty was made between the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

A King, a War, a Pas, a Siege and a Master of Medals

Commemorative medals combine portraiture with designs that commemorate their subjects’ principal deeds. This medal was made to celebrate the success of Louis XIII, King of...

Out in the Museum

Dates for your Diaries!

As we enter 2015, we have a number of events coming up that I’d encourage you to pop in your diaries right away. More details about all of them will follow soon but for now...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

A ‘Tragedie en Musique’ performed on 8th January 1685

Today in 1685 ‘Roland, tragédie en musique’’was first performed by the Académie Royale de Musique before King Louis XIV at Versailles. This 1685 publication of the...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Help us ‘Masquerade’ at the Museum this week …

This week, visitors to the Museum will be able to take a sneak-peak at an exciting interactive being created for the new Europe 1600-1800 galleries. ‘The Masquerade’ is an...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Born on This Day: Queen Christina of Sweden

This post will be taking a look at Christina, Queen of Sweden from 1633 to 1654, who was born today in 1626 (O.S. 8th December). The daughter of Gustav II Adolph (Gustav Adolphus...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Are you sitting comfortably? – or, plumping up a 17th century Dutch cushion

With the weather getting that bit nippier out there, it’s rather nice to turn our thoughts to home comforts. However in this case it is the home comforts of a 17th century...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Curating Crucifixes

On the festivities front it may be the wrong time of year for it, but we have recently been discussing how to display The Crucifixion. This wonderfully detailed ivory group will...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Born on This Day: Bernini – leading light of the Baroque

A prolific sculptor, architect, painter and draughtsman; Gianlorenzo Bernini was celebrated for his astonishing ability to produce ‘living’ marble sculpture. He is...

Out in the Museum

The Red Ribbon

Many people have an individual reason for wearing the Red Ribbon but it is generally understood as a symbol to demonstrate awareness and support for people living with HIV and...

Out in the Museum

World AIDS Day

In 1988, a summit of health ministers from around the world nominated 1st December as World AIDS Day, a day of action designed to raise public awareness of HIV (human...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Born on This Day: Sophia Eleonore of Saxony (‘lover of books’)

Sophia Eleonore of Saxony (23 November 1609 – 2 June 1671) was a Duchess (Herzogin) of Saxony by birth. The daughter of John George I, Elector of Saxony and Magdalene Sibylle...

News and Updates

Out On Display #12: My Heroes

‘My Heroes’ Grayson Perry England, earthenware, 1994 Bought with the assistance of Dennis and Charlotte Stevenson C.10-2009 On display in room 142 ...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

The King Vulture & White Gold

Listening to BBC iPlayer this week, Neil MacGregor from the British Museum reminded me of a vulture! I should quickly clarify that this is not some museum-rivalry based insult,...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Selecting Furniture & Sculpture Part III

Suitable for Inclusion? – Some Practical Considerations So you’re a curator with your eye on an extraordinary, dazzling furniture or sculpture object (which perhaps...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Born on This Day: Master of the Animal Still Life

Frans Snyders (11 November 1579 – 19 August 1657, Antwerp) is considered to be the first specialist in what was a new Flemish form of still life – the animal still life....

Museum life

Out On Display #11: Kissing Doesn’t Kill

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Selecting Furniture & Sculpture Part II

Continuing on from the previous post … Sculpture The V&A’s sculpture collection is designated the National Collection of Sculpture. It concentrates on Western...

News and Updates

Out On Display #10: Because We Must

Costumes for Because We Must Designed by Leigh Bowery Made by Mr. Pearl London, crewel work & appliqué, 1987 S.101 & 102-2010 On...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Welcome to Hell!

Looking at the V&A blog page this morning, I can see that Halloween has caught the imagination of a number of fellow Museum bloggers. However, I can’t pass up such an apt...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Commemorating the Reformation in ‘ANNO SECULARI MDCCXVII DIE 31 OCT’

Today I bring you a commemoration of a commemoration! ‘IN MEMORIAM SECUNDI IUBILAEI EVANGELICI ANNO SECULARI MDCCXVII DIE 31 OCT CELEBRATI SENAT FRANCOFURTI F F I I...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Born on This Day: The Bridge Builder

Born this day in 1708, the French architect and structural engineer Jean-Rodolphe Perronet was admittedly not technically a ‘builder’ but he was the man responsible...

News and Updates

Out On Display #9: ‘the most beautiful of all mortals’

Ganymede Guillame Cousteau France, marble, c.1760 ...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

Selecting Furniture & Sculpture Part I

Today’s post has been prompted by a comment from Robert Thornhill on a previous entry. Robert asked for more information on how and why choices were made in selecting furniture...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

More Strawberry Thieves?

Today has seen the launch of The Strawberry Thief, a new iPad game developed by Sophia George, former Games Designer in Residence. Sophia took her inspiration from the William...

Creating the new Europe 1600–1815 Galleries

‘little meat and a great deal of cabbage and turnips have driven us out of Würzburg … This 22nd day of October in the year 1716’

Large writing cabinets, such as the impressive example below, were often important indicators of a gentleman’s status in the 18th century. This cabinet is a fine example of...

Out in the Museum

Out On Display #8: a subversive love-letter

Evening dress Charles James France (Paris), printed silk, 1938 T.274-1974 On display in room 40 At first glance, the...

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