Victoria and Albert Museum Reopens Expanded Gilbert Galleries with Focus on Italian Micromosaics

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has reopened its Gilbert Galleries after renovation and expansion. These permanent galleries showcase the decorative arts collection of British philanthropists Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert, featuring approximately 1,200 works from around the world. A significant portion highlights Italian micromosaics, including 19th-century pieces created by master craftsmen. The museum collaborated with Italian company SICIS, based in Ravenna, to enhance the presentation of micromosaic art. SICIS contributed an educational installation demonstrating the creation process and reproduced part of Michelangelo Barberi's notable table 'The Flora of Two Sicilies' from the 1850s, displayed alongside the original. The partnership began in 2018 with a lecture on the Gilbert Collection's highlights.