Reopening of Gilbert Galleries

Clever refurbishment and enlargement of the galleries for the Gilbert Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

I admit I don’t think I'd done the old galleries for this collection, but I was very impressed by this new version. The collection consists mainly of small, precious, decorative items and it would be easy for the display to just be about looking at pretty things and believe me, there are some very pretty things but the narrative becomes about craftsmanship with useful displays and videos about how the pieces were made.

I had learnt from a talk the day before (see previous blog) that the space had been expanded by adding three rooms which had been offices. I wouldn't have guessed this and the whole space looked cohesive. There were beautiful new fixtures and furniture.

I'd thought I would just walk through the space but I was drawn to study the exhibits and wonder at their beauty. I think my favourites were the glass micro-mosaics which were so fine many looked like paintings. I also loved the gold boxes many with links to European royalty.


Review

Guardian


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