Modernism
Modernism in design and architecture emerged in the aftermath of the First World War and the Russian Revolution – a period when the artistic avant-garde dreamed of a new world free from history and tradition.
During the years between the World Wars, Modernist design and art shared certain underlying principles: a rejection of decoration and applied ornament; a preference for abstraction; and a belief that design and technology could transform society. This utopian spirit pervades the V&A's collection: from everyday objects to feats of technological inspiration.
Features
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Modernist architecture: the Bauhaus and beyond
From the 1920s, the teachings of the Bauhaus school inspired a new, experimental architecture
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Domestic life in a Modern world
Discover how Modernist principles reconfigured domestic spaces and products
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Inside mid-century Tropical Modernist architecture
See inside mid-century buildings in West Africa
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The sophisticated Modern home
Explore a selection of homewares that embody timely, elegant and most importantly, Modern, design
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Take a seat – a story of Modernism in three chairs
For Modernists, the chair represented a particularly important and popular design challenge
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What is Tropical Modernism?
Discover the 'Bauhaus in the Tropics'
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Modernism and the natural world – the designs of Alvar and Aino Aalto
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Deckchair design: from ocean liner to Modernist villa
Discover how ocean liner style influenced an iconic Modernist chair designed by Eileen Gray
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Modernist theatre in Britain between the Wars
The Modernist agenda is reflected in the pioneering political theatrical organisations that sprung up in the UK between the wars
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At the press of a button: A V&A history of 3D printing
The ambition of printing anything, anywhere, anytime has long been a futuristic dream
Collection highlights
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Dell-Lampe Type K, desk lamp, designed by Christian Dell, made by Zimmermann GmbH, 1929, Frankfurt, GermanyV&A South Kensington -
Neu-Berlin, cup and saucer, designed by Trude Petri, manufactured by Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur, 1931, Berlin, GermanyV&A South Kensington -
Paimio Armchair, designed by Aalto, Alvar, manufactured by Huonekalu-ja Rakennustyötehdas Oy, 1932, FinlandV&A South Kensington -
Desk, designed by Denham Maclaren, about 1929, London, EnglandV&A East Storehouse -
Teapot, designed by Naum Slutzky, 1928, Hamburg, GermanyV&A South Kensington -
MR20, armchair, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, manufactured by Thonet, 1927, Frankenberg, GermanyV&A East Storehouse -
(Detail) Kaufmann Office, panelled room, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1935 – 37, Pittsburgh, USV&A East Storehouse -
The Red Blue Chair, armchair, designed by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, made by Gerard A. van der Groenekan, 1918, NetherlandsV&A East Storehouse -
Hanging, designed by Anna Albers, 1926, made by Gunta Stölzl, 1967, GermanyV&A South Kensington -
Savoy, vase, designed by Alvar Aalto, manufactured by Karhula, 1937, FinlandV&A South Kensington -
Penguin Donkey, bookcase, designed by Egon Riss, manufactured by Isokon Furniture Company, 1939, London, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
MT8, table lamp, Wilhelm Wagenfeld, about 1924, Germany. Museum no. M.28&A-1989. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
(Detail) Frankfurt Kitchen, designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, 1926 – 27, Frankfurt, GermanyV&A East Storehouse -
Ensemble, designed by Aleksandr Mikailovich Rodchenko, 1922, made by Air Morishita, 2005, FranceV&A South Kensington -
Drawing, by Edward McKnight Kauffer, 1934, London, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
EKCO AC 74, radio, designed by Serge Chermayeff, manufactured by E. K. Cole Ltd, 1933, Southend on Sea, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Britain by Mass Observation, book, by Charles Madge & Tom Harrisson, published by Penguin Books, 1939, EnglandV&A South Kensington -
Bracelet, designed by Naum Slutzky, 1930, Hamburg, GermanyV&A South Kensington
