Europe 1600 – 1815
In 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.
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.
Features
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Design a Wig
In the late 18th century, women's hair styles went crazy! Create and share your own hair-raising design.
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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
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The Rouen gamesboard tray
Lessons in love from a rare ceramic board game
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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
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The Encyclopédie
Ranging from Beekeeping to Zanzibar, discover the story of one of the world's greatest intellectual and publishing projects
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The conservation of Marie Antoinette's chairFollow our Conservation team on their fascinating journey to restore an 18th-century chair made specially for Marie Antoinette
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Audio: What was Europe? A New Salon
A series of four conversations that marked the 2016 opening of the V&A's new permanent galleries devoted to art and design in Europe 1600 – 1815
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The puzzle of portraits: Francis Williams and Vanley Burke
Explore two important portraits separated by three centuries
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Revealing the lost art of the ancient scagliola marble technique: ASMRWatch the artisans at work
Collection highlights
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Writing cabinet, made by Michael Kimmel, 1750 – 55, Dresden, GermanyV&A South Kensington -
Triumph of Harlequin, fan, painted by Felicita Tibaldi Subleyras and Pierre Subleyras, about 1750, ItalyV&A South Kensington -
The visit of Louis XIV to the Château de Juvisy, oil painting, by Pierre-Denis Martin, about 1700, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Formal ensemble, 1790 – 1800, FranceV&A East Storehouse -
Mask, 1700 – 25, ItalyV&A South Kensington -
Clock, made by John Moore & Son, about 1810, FranceV&A South Kensington
Background image: Writing cabinet (detail), probably by Michael Kimmel, 1750 – 55, Dresden, Germany. Museum no. W.63-1977. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London