Victorian Art & Design
The Gothic Revival at the V&A

The Victorians were particularly fond of the Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages. Their churches were no longer built in the classical style of Greece and Rome. Pointed Gothic arches replaced the round arches of Wren's Saint Paul's and coloured windows of stained glass replaced the clear glass of the Protestant reformers.

The new British Galleries at the V&A cover the period 1500-1900. The Victorian section starts with two Gothic designers: A. W. N. Pugin and William Burges.

A. W. N. Pugin designed most of the decoration used in the Houses of Parliament. He made roughly 2000 drawings for coloured tiles, wallpapers, carvings, metalwork and furniture. The V&A has examples of three chairs, an umbrella stand, tiles and designs for a wallpaper and for a blind.

Pugin also designed and built Saint Augustine's Church next to his home in Ramsgate. The V&A has an altar frontal and a cope with an embroidered hood from Saint Augustine's.

William Burges is best known for his medieval style decorations at Cardiff Castle and nearby at Castell Coch. He filled these with carved and painted fireplaces and wall paintings for the wealthy Marquess of Bute. Both are open to the public. A National Trust house in Devon, Knightshayes Court was also designed by Burges.

The V&A has one of the painted cabinets which Burges designed for Henry Yatman and the basin from his own home, the Tower House in Melbury Road, Kensington.