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Treasures of the Victoria and Albert Museum with Hattie Bennett

Treasures of the Victoria and Albert Museum with Hattie Bennett


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Get an inside peek into the Victoria and Albert Museum on your schedule. With more than two million objects in the collection, you’ll love exploring the most extensive collection of applied and decorative arts in the world with an acclaimed British Art Historian. 
In this talk, we will discuss the founding of the museum and examine some of the highlights. From a Leonardo codex to Beyonce's butterfly ring, from a court dress to a medieval tapestry, there is a myriad of objects to discuss and admire. 
Established in the mid-19th century after the success of the 1851 Great Exhibition, the museum is situated in South Kensington in a purpose-built building. Although many objects at the Victoria and Albert include works by famous artists such as  Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo,  most of the collection’s provenance is anonymous, made by unknown craftsmen and women. The V&A, therefore, includes beautiful works of art that would not be on view in a standard art gallery and give us the opportunity to understand historical interiors and clothes which reflect the society in which they were produced.
Led by art historian Hattie Bennett, this interactive discussion will examine objects from the V&A, such as the large Raphael cartoons, described as the most important Renaissance artwork outside of Italy, to the small and extraordinary golden whistle, reputed to have belonged to Anne Boleyn. We will look at textiles, including tapestries with a royal connection and fashion from the superb collection of historical clothes. The V&A is a treasure trove, and we look forward to sharing the highlights with you.
As you watch the presentation, we encourage you to think about these questions:
  1. Was the remit of the first director, Henry Cole, that the V&A should be a "classroom for everyone" successful?
  2. Do stories/legends behind objects make them more potent?
  3. Historically, did design reflect contemporary trends? Can you give an example?
  4. Many of the objects are made by unknown artisans. How do they compare with pieces created by the great masters, such as Raphael?
  5. Do you agree with William Morris "Have nothing in your house that you know not to be beautiful or useful"
  6. Have you been to the V&A before? Did I miss your favorite object?

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Hattie has a degree in History of Art and an MA in Historic Interiors, she has a life-long passion and fascination in Fine and Decorative Arts, particularly works produced in Europe from the 16th to 18th century. After working for the Royal Collection in the Print Room at Windsor Castle, she was a curator for a private collector of 17th and 18th century prints and drawings. Hattie has worked for London's foremost framer of important old master paintings during which time she sharpened her appreciation and understanding of the decorative arts and the changing tastes of collecting. Recently she has been dealing in prints and works of art as well as taking groups of all ages to museums and galleries.

 

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How long is this video presentation?
Each presentation is approximately 60 minutes long.
How long is the presentation available to rewatch? What happens if I need to pause and then resume on a later date?
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This conversation is suitable for all ages.

60 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

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