The Victoria and Albert Museum houses over 3000 years worth of the world's artifacts, with collections from fashion, furniture, paintings, sculpture, metalwork, and textiles. The National Art Library, a division of the museum, holds over 2 million manuscripts and periodicals on art and fashion. The LIS group was able to go behind the scenes and discover what this magnificent treasure house is all about.
The V&A Museum was founded in 1852 after the Great Exhibition led to a rise in the interest of decorative arts. The National Art Library, founded in 1832, joined in partnership with the museum in 1857.
For our tour of the library, we were divided into two groups. One was given a tour of the library while the other was given a presentation of a few rare books the library has in its' possession, and vice versa. Jen Reeves led the first group through the library, giving background and detailed information on how the library runs. As a reference library, readers cannot take items outside the library, but are allowed 15 items at a time for research purposes. Like the British Library, the reader fills out a request form and turns it into the information desk. Books are retrieved every half hour.
The library collects books in every European language, as well as the Asian language. In the special collections, the library has an archive of materials on the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Until next time.
The V&A Museum was founded in 1852 after the Great Exhibition led to a rise in the interest of decorative arts. The National Art Library, founded in 1832, joined in partnership with the museum in 1857.
For our tour of the library, we were divided into two groups. One was given a tour of the library while the other was given a presentation of a few rare books the library has in its' possession, and vice versa. Jen Reeves led the first group through the library, giving background and detailed information on how the library runs. As a reference library, readers cannot take items outside the library, but are allowed 15 items at a time for research purposes. Like the British Library, the reader fills out a request form and turns it into the information desk. Books are retrieved every half hour.
The library collects books in every European language, as well as the Asian language. In the special collections, the library has an archive of materials on the Great Exhibition of 1851.
After the tour, we were given the chance to view some of the library's rare books. On display for us for various pieces from different periods, including a first folio of Shakespeare's works and a Dickens' manuscript complete with proof marks in the authors hand.
After our tour, we split off and toured the museum. Like the British Museum there is just too much to see in one day. Divided into 4 levels, the museum was at times overwhelming. We started on the first level and made our way to the third level. We began with the fashion exhibit. It was exquisite. There were pieces from the 18th century up until 2003. There were beautiful evening gowns and daily dresses, pieces from Dolce&Gabban
a and Chanel. The battery life on my camera was exhausted, so unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures of the gorgeous pieces. After the fashion exhibit, we made our way to the third floor to see the silver and jewellery. The jewellery exhibit was just as magnificent as the fashion exhibit. The exhibit showcases jewellery from the last 800 years, with over 3,500 jewels on display.
With so much to see, and the loss of battery life, I have every intention of returning to the world treasure house before my time here in London is down.
After our tour, we split off and toured the museum. Like the British Museum there is just too much to see in one day. Divided into 4 levels, the museum was at times overwhelming. We started on the first level and made our way to the third level. We began with the fashion exhibit. It was exquisite. There were pieces from the 18th century up until 2003. There were beautiful evening gowns and daily dresses, pieces from Dolce&Gabban
a and Chanel. The battery life on my camera was exhausted, so unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures of the gorgeous pieces. After the fashion exhibit, we made our way to the third floor to see the silver and jewellery. The jewellery exhibit was just as magnificent as the fashion exhibit. The exhibit showcases jewellery from the last 800 years, with over 3,500 jewels on display.With so much to see, and the loss of battery life, I have every intention of returning to the world treasure house before my time here in London is down.
Until next time.
No comments:
Post a Comment