French Decorative Art at the V&A

French Style, from Baroque to Empire - the Development of the Decorative Arts from 1660-1815


The superb collection of French Decorative Arts at the Victoria and Albert Museum holds some of the very best examples of furniture, porcelain and even "rooms". To compliment the series of lectures given on France we will trace the developments of form, function and taste whilst considering patrons, production and purchase of luxury objects. Beginning with the grandeur of Baroque Versailles we will see the influence of the rococo and later neo-classicism on the shapes and decorations of furniture. Finally the Empire style of Napoleon, a reaction away from the taste of the ancien regime, which looked to classical antiquity for inspiration.

Please meet in the main entrance.

Delivered by Hattie Bennett