Designing the V&A: The Museum as a Work of Art, 1857–1909
2026-09-02
Julius Bryant’s Designing the V&A examines how architecture, engineering and decoration transformed the South Kensington museum into a work of art.Read More →
The Great Exhibition in Art: Picturing the First World’s Fair, 1851
2026-08-24
Julius Bryant’s The Great Exhibition in Art examines how paintings, prints, guidebooks and souvenirs shaped the public memory of the 1851 Great Exhibition, the Crystal Palace and modern exhibition culture.Read More →
James Powell & Sons: British Glassware and the Revival of Venetian Traditions
2026-05-02
James Powell & Sons was a leading British glassware manufacturer active from the late nineteenth century into the early twentieth century. Renowned for its revivalRead More →
The Impact of ‘The House that Jack Built’ on Children’s Wallpaper Design
2024-11-17
Walter Crane‘s 1886 wallpaper design combines storytelling and decoration, reflecting the Aesthetic Movement and enhancing children’s education through vibrant, narrative-rich visuals.Read More →
Exploring Loudon’s Comprehensive Furniture Designs
2024-11-10
John Claudius Loudon, a Scottish horticulturist, greatly influenced 19th-century design through his comprehensive 1833 encyclopaedia, highlighting vernacular architecture and practical furniture design.Read More →
Pteridomania: The Victorian Craze for Collecting Ferns
2024-11-04
The Victorian obsession with ferns, known as Pteridomania, captivated society, leading to the establishment of ferneries and influencing art, literature, and design before its decline in the 1900s.Read More →
Steampunk and its Influence on the Decorative Arts
2024-07-16
Steampunk, a blend of Victorian aesthetics and futuristic innovation, has influenced fashion, interior design, and the decorative arts. It features Victorian elegance, industrial elements, and retro-futurism.Read More →
William Frend De Morgan: A Master of Victorian Decorative Arts
2024-05-27
William De Morgan, a renowned artist-potter, created vibrant ceramics rooted in the Arts and Crafts movement, leaving a lasting impact on decorative arts.Read More →
Festoon: A Timeless Motif in Decorative Arts
2024-02-02
Festoons, symbolic of abundance and festivity, have graced art and design for centuries. Their enduring appeal continues to inspire contemporary creations.Read More →
Aubrey Beardsley (1872 – 1898) – the Dandy of the Grotesque
2023-06-13
Aubrey Beardsley, an influential illustrator of the Art Nouveau period, captivated the public with his erotic and intricate artwork, but faced tragic backlash.Read More →