Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The Belle Époque Today: “The Cult of Beauty” at the Victoria and Albert Museum

The Cult of Beauty
The Victoria & Albert Museum has launched a special exhibition which chronicles the history of the Aesthetic Movement (circa 1860 to 1890) and demonstrates the progression of the movement as well as its many influences. The exhibition, “The Cult of Beauty,” is a visual treat with examples of Aesthetic Movement fine and decorative arts from the museum’s permanent collection. Among the items on display are paintings, sculpture, photographs, furniture, decorative home goods, china, clothing, jewelry, prints, drawings and books.


Charger
William De Morgan, 1888
The Victoria & Albert Museum
For purposes of the exhibition, the Aesthetic Movement is defined by four ideas: The Search for the New Beauty, Art for Art’s Sake, Beautiful People and Aesthetic Houses, and Late-Flowering Beauty. The exhibit runs through July 17, 2011. To learn more about visiting this remarkable installation at the V&A and to see examples from the exhibit, visit the Web site of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Mrs. Luke Ionides
William Blake Richmond, 1882
The Victoria & Albert Museum

2 comments:

Gene said...

Looks fascinating. WIsh I could go.

Joseph Crisalli said...

As do I, Gene.