New Photograph Gallery For The V&A

By Londonist Last edited 152 months ago
New Photograph Gallery For The V&A


As the first museum ever to collect and display photographs, the V&A has always been pioneering in its support of photography. Now they’re opening a brand new permanent photograph gallery to expand the number of pieces on show to the public.

The gallery, opening in autumn, will chronicle the history of photography from its invention until the 1960s. Works will include those from famous names such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Man Ray as well as the V&A’s oldest photograph, an image of Parliament Street seen from Trafalgar Square in 1839.

'In Focus' sections within the gallery will also look at important photographers within the museum’s collection.

Julia Margaret Cameron, who produced some of the most significant portraits of the Victorian era, will be the first subject. One of her portraits, Circe from 1865, can be seen to the right.

The museum’s existing photography galleries will be used to display temporary exhibitions of modern works. So, if you can’t wait until October ‘Signs of a Struggle’, looking at the Postmodernist movement’s effect on photography, will be on display in from 11 August until 27 November.

The new, free exhibition space will open on 25 October 2011. For more information visit www.vam.ac.uk

Last Updated 20 July 2011