Year Course: European Art & Innovation: 1720-1920
Gain a unique perspective on one of the most dynamic periods in the history of western art.
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Europe 1600 – 1815
Plan a visitIn Europe 1600 – 1815 over 1100 objects from the V&A’s collections of 17th- and 18th-century European art and design are displayed in a suite of seven galleries. The collection comprises some of the most magnificent works held by the V&A.
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These galleries have been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the children of Her Highness Sheikha Amna Bint Mohammed Al Thani, the Friends of the V&A, The Selz Foundation, Würth Group, The Wolfson Foundation, Dr Genevieve Davies, William Loschert, the J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust and many other private individuals and trusts.
Exploring Europe 1600 – 1815
Writing cabinet, probably by Michael Kimmel, 1750 – 55, Dresden, Germany. Museum no. W.63-1977. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Fan with the Triumph of Harlequin, about 1750, Rome, Italy. Museum no. T.153-1920. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The Visit of Louis XIV to the Château de Juvisy, Pierre-Denis Martin, about 1700, Paris, France. Museum no. E.293-2013. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Court suit, about 1795 – 98, probably France. Museum no. T.148-1924. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Mask for Pulcinella, probably 1700 – 25, Italy. Museum no. W.60-1929. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Clock, case about 1810 with later movement by John Moore and Son of London, Paris, France. Museum no.361-1901. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Learn more about Europe 1600 – 1815
Europe 1600-1815 in-gallery audio guide
Get the most out of your visit to the Europe 1600-1815 galleries with our mobile audio guide
Design a Wig
In the late 18th century, women's hair styles went crazy! Create and share your own hair-raising design.
Tastemakers: Europe 1600-1815 Galleries
Actress Imelda Staunton takes us on a journey to discover objects made in Europe for some of the period’s most discerning leaders of taste - King Louis XIV, Queen Marie Antoinette and Catherine the Great
Explore the Ommegang
Get closer to one of the star objects in the Europe 1600-1815 galleries: a painting that depicts a huge annual procession in Brussels in 1615
The Encyclopédie
Ranging from Beekeeping to Zanzibar, discover the story of one of the world's greatest intellectual and publishing projects
The conservation of Marie Antoinette's chair
Follow our Conservation team on their fascinating journey to restore an 18th-century chair made specially for Marie Antoinette
The Collecting Europe game
Answer a series of questions relating to boundaries and identity to create a moving shape – an abstract representation of you and your thoughts
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Background image: Background image: Writing cabinet (detail), probably by Michael Kimmel, 1750 – 55, Dresden, Germany. Museum no. W.63-1977. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London