Sculpture Journal, vol. 34, Issue 1: Donatello
Open access
This special issue of Sculpture Journal is the first of two derived from a selection of papers presented at the international conference ‘Donatello: Workshops, Patronage, Revival’, held at the V&A in May 2023. Organized in conjunction with the V&A exhibition Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance (February–June 2023), the conference was conceived of and delivered by Peta Motture (Lead Curator), Whitney Kerr-Lewis (Co-Curator) and Sabrina Villani (Exhibition Research Assistant) in partnership with the V&A Research Institute.
Heritage | Special Issue: Lacquer in the Americas
Open access
This special issue brings the Indigenous American lacquer community together, building bridges and overcoming the existing geographical and language obstacles. With dual-language (English and Spanish) articles focusing on barniz de Pasto and mopa mopa, Mexican lacquer (or maque) and cumatê, this collection includes contributions covering a number of disciplines. This volume is a ‘go-to’ research resource encompassing scientific and historical reviews, case studies, articles focusing on sociological and anthropological perspectives, and on cross-cultural contact and exchanges between Asia, Europe and the ‘New World’.
The Royal Albert Hall
Book
Simona Valeriani’s book tells the fascinating story of how The Royal Albert Hall, one of the most iconic buildings of the Victorian era, came into being. Bringing material and archival evidence to life, it gives voice to its makers: from artisans and engineers to royalty and policy makers. The Royal Albert Hall reveals itself as a gateway to a new understanding of the political, artistic and scientific aspirations of a generation whose legacy still shapes today’s social and cultural landscape.
Nazi-Era Provenance of Museum Collections
Book
Jacques Schuhmacher’s research guide equips readers with the knowledge and strategies essential for confronting the shadow of the Nazi past in museum collections. The author provides the vital historical orientation required to understand the Nazis’ campaign of systematic dispossession and extermination, and highlights the environment in which museum-based Nazi-era provenance research takes place today.
Connecting Threads
Online
Connecting Threads is a collaborative digital history project dedicated to amplifying the contributions of Indian weavers and African Caribbean consumers to global histories of dress.
Unearthed
Online
‘Unearthed’ is a poetry film by Amina Jama. It responds to items in the V&A’s archive showcasing stereotypical depictions of people of colour throughout time.
The India Museum Revisited
Book
Arthur MacGregor’s book provides a full examination of the India Museum’s founding manifesto and evolving ambitions. It surveys its multi-faceted collections – with respect to materials, their manufacture and original functions on the Indian sub-continent – as well as the collectors who gathered them and the manner in which they were mobilized to various ends within the museum.
Crafting Medieval Spain
Online
Crafting Medieval Spain focuses on four monumental wooden ceilings from the Torrijos palace, near Toledo. The interdisciplinary project investigates how Islamic techniques were adapted to Gothic taste and how artistic heritage was dispersed in the 1900s while addressing issues of display, conservation and restoration.
Chinese Iconography Thesaurus
Online
The Chinese Iconography Thesaurus combines sinology, art history and information studies to create the first thesaurus of Chinese iconography, a valuable research tool enhancing the accessibility and understanding of Chinese art. The CIT was launched with a grant from DCMS and subsequent sponsorship from the Bei Shan Tang Foundation.
