The creation of the British Galleries 1500-1900 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, was the largest gallery project for 50 years at the world's most important museum of design and the decorative arts. When they opened in 2001, after five years' work, the British Galleries were hailed as groundbreaking and stunningly beautiful, and went on to win for the V&A the European Museum of the Year Award (2003).
This book, written by those directly involved, records in detail how the new galleries were created, from concept to practical realisation. Comprehensively illustrated and supplemented with original working documents, it covers topics including the creation of the galleries' thematic and historical structure, the working methods and organisation of the project, and the educational strategy.
The book will be of special interest to students and professionals in the museum world.