This breath-taking museum is free! The
Victoria and Albert Museum is a collection primarily of artifacts spanning time and the world. The emphasis on objects, to me, makes the vast collection more approachable. You can imagine a person making and then using a Tibetan vajra in a way that sparks a connection more than a painting. There is an interesting collection of decorative cast iron; a sculpture court; the throne of a Sikh maharaja. There is a huge collection of jewelry that is especially awe-inspiring. Also fascinating is the Court of Casts. These beautiful, full-scale models present monumental sculptures and architectural details. It must have been wonderful for people to have an opportunity to see "David" by Michelangelo, in an accurate reproduction, in a time when travel was a luxury available to the few.
To me, the highlight was the Refreshment Room. These spaces were designed by leading Arts & Crafts artists of the day. It was the first cafe in a museum, which shows that the collection was meant to be enjoyed by a wide audience.
We enjoyed tea and scones under the watchful eye of these peacocks.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7CJAYCrMBlATlxQYr7Q2yv4ToZHpNw8aM9ql3vkFvXornJX9qjYKMu1j-1IowPCMM3dGrCd6XthMQz9rSl3wFM6tJnp76Z0WO_XzT1LthuhSm72wEhfmjD3rDbStY1YZhwpAq1zg5xD6/s320/IMG_4281.JPG) |
Facade of the interior courtyard |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRNRJuKQEV99rrsr3-vTFa-M3NK8M8QY2vXwB1ZeBz1l71FRZp8ITpznzfoUiv0dBeDDPFQyZaEVtxj3-2-IPAOus4lElE7dY_ZYHQs8RxXLg0_fnWlWpGZwSYki97DM6Dt0DsqK4yX0i/s320/IMG_4283.JPG) |
The main refreshment room decorated for the Hols |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5sXeQON8CMZerZE-NOVefFcROu5QKZ5JbwiIPsem2QM8_n7x-9jDOpqPuW33vufyXN5wZWo2Y8oedrpPFz5-aK81vWbku07JpY9GJhhV0phD3jV4LEa7btKwQOvBwmgV1zLtxbFpe7ph/s320/IMG_4286.JPG) |
Another detail |
This wall treatment from the refreshment room appears to be wallpaper, from a distance:
Here are some pieces from the collection:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQLWISJPPOjBeEJPEONW-UndHNLwjWcsI4_ApxmFxGuzyATJaqn_0nIpHaX0YBZl4GIBxwuamkWBbRuYQOnB8mQrfPKX4qTnJOZYvj3SzWi6TDxCKHeklC4rmvP80-KHyXqkpiXqDgbUr/s320/IMG_4273.JPG) |
This almost life-size automaton emits groans from the victim (English) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1j6tOr74rEW05c_f-Zs2tuW4LLHfovrU8f_pCNSbIhpzddoiz74i7DcNKCEneQl5ArZqPd-Z5Kbl6NxsCMpEOWRptF_LyPOk524U_JLbC6rT2_ZJREbGmtY7UMYUEcvhYS3iHY4ENe2I6/s320/IMG_4274.JPG) |
Me with a hangover (actually the Minotaur as sculpted by Canova) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEyEsFKN8gwj74F6CUj7dIoC84k3FIqTjIWDk9iLWX4JNoNbb4YkbsCuFKsYR_PxeX9Zn4BvKUB1d7IhUsDDjhCELBQI0bJXRKnpNR0rKh2E43FpLS2FfgK0GmfVe7hA3h1a6pC8NbCRH/s320/IMG_4275.JPG) |
An overview of one part of the Court of Casts |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtPD08JF5hh_DwSB9y5QIOInlvQP-fHmioBbErK_f4B0o78o4ZdzNt10R0M93_PT3otIJZVQ5TO9yqVKGbi0rODO4s7sGrQiy6IctdiUzigbJFX1CeUIs_v7Nl0YwguVaPNFwolHqajAv/s320/IMG_4278.JPG) |
Detail of an altar |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWatUP1cXrKXGH4k0EGpTUHrY1AS07MpdAFotRjF2FM9nKR96IhLd-ZY0fPpfoUeyha2NP_xu1FQLGTkI4aU43edPj_6LVog1AdIot_-7OgCd0wA-xBpnxPSXqwi1w4VGfyqDASIhwj-m0/s320/IMG_4279.JPG) |
One of many wrought iron pieces |
A triptych altar:
Comments
Post a Comment