Victoria and Albert Museum, in London, houses one of the world’s most important collections of decorative art and fine art. The museum is named for Queen Victoria, queen of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901, and her husband, Prince Albert. It was founded in 1852.
The huge museum has about 150 galleries spread over about 12.5 acres (5 hectares). The collections are organized into five major themes: Asia, Europe, Modern, Materials and Techniques, and Exhibition. The Materials and Techniques galleries are devoted to a single material, such as glass, silver, and textiles. The Exhibition galleries present temporary shows.
The Victoria and Albert Museum displays many masterpieces of fine art, including an important collection of the works of the English painter John Constable. The museum is also the home of the National Art Library.
The museum’s collections originated from works purchased during the Great Exhibition of 1851, a world’s fair held in London. The permanent museum building was completed in 1909. The principal designer was the English architect Sir Aston Webb.
