Context brings the brightest minds to your living room with perspective-shifting online lectures.

Treasures of the Victoria and Albert Museum with Hattie Bennett

Treasures of the Victoria and Albert Museum with Hattie Bennett


Love this expert? Subscribe to Hattie Bennett's Club to have unlimited access. Already subscribed? Use your discount code to purchase new lectures and access recordings via your portal.

No events are scheduled at this time. Want to be notified when it’s back? Click the blue button to the right and we’ll notify you.

Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is the largest collection of applied and decorative arts in the world, with over two million objects. 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 museum. The objects held at the Victoria and Albert include those by famous names such as Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. However a large proportion is anonymous, made by unknown craftsmen and women. The V&A, therefore, includes beautiful works of art that would not be on show in a regular 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 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 showing you some of the highlights.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 13 reviews
85%
(11)
8%
(1)
8%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G. (Brantford, CA)
Treasures of the V & A

I thoroughly enjoyed this talk. Hattie Bennett is so interesting and knowledgeable about so many historical eras.

V
V.H. (Silver Spring, US)
Excellent presentation!

Excellent introduction to the holdings of the V&A. Well organized, clearly presented. I learned a huge amount!

J
J.H. (Cincinnati, US)
Wonderful Perk at the V& A Museum treasures!

A very delightful look & background into a few of the many treasures found here. Presentation was well-researched, organized & presented.

S
S.B. (Central Point, US)
Victoria and Albert Museum

I enjoyed this information packed presentation. It was thorough and well-paced.

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
I had no idea this museum was so diverse and so much fun to explore.

This museum is not one I had visited, and I had no idea of the fun, treasures and stories hidden therein. A quite enjoyable conversation with a very knowledgeable expert.

Customer Reviews

Based on 13 reviews
85%
(11)
8%
(1)
8%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
G
G. (Brantford, CA)
Treasures of the V & A

I thoroughly enjoyed this talk. Hattie Bennett is so interesting and knowledgeable about so many historical eras.

V
V.H. (Silver Spring, US)
Excellent presentation!

Excellent introduction to the holdings of the V&A. Well organized, clearly presented. I learned a huge amount!

J
J.H. (Cincinnati, US)
Wonderful Perk at the V& A Museum treasures!

A very delightful look & background into a few of the many treasures found here. Presentation was well-researched, organized & presented.

S
S.B. (Central Point, US)
Victoria and Albert Museum

I enjoyed this information packed presentation. It was thorough and well-paced.

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
I had no idea this museum was so diverse and so much fun to explore.

This museum is not one I had visited, and I had no idea of the fun, treasures and stories hidden therein. A quite enjoyable conversation with a very knowledgeable expert.