Treasures of the Royal Courts, Victoria and Albert Museum
Enter
a rich world of royal treasures and history come alive in this brilliant
exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum! The exhibition, Treasures of the Royal Courts, celebrates 500
years of exchange between Britain and Russia and features priceless works of
art ranging from jewellery, portraits, ceremonial armour and tapestries with
detailed commentaries on the lives of King Henry VIII, Elizabeth I and Ivan the
Terrible.<p>
The
200 years of fertile cultural, diplomatic and trading relations between England
and Russia or Muscovy as it was then known are portrayed and we see how
relationships between the two countries were nurtured by exchanging gifts. Some
extraordinary gifts came out of English Tudor and Stuart courts including
miniature coaches, guns, silver, portraits and jewellery. Contemporary
paintings reveal the public excitement behind the diplomatic encounters that
occurred between the two countries.<p>
Rather
dramatically as soon as you enter the exhibition you are confronted with four
enormous, life size beasts, called ‘The Dacre Beasts’ which were made to
commemorate the Tudor soldier, Thomas, Lord Dacre (1467 – 1525) who fought for
Henry VII against Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. Carved from a trunk of
single oak and since repainted, the four animals – bull, griffin, ram and
dolphin – are all holding flags to
demonstrate Dacre’s loyalty to the crown and are a fitting example of the codes
of chivalry and royal loyalty. In the same room is an impressive array of some
of Henry VIII’s armour which demonstrates the sheer size and presence of this
formidable British King who was 6 feet tall and clearly enjoyed all that was
chivalry, knightly lore and jousting. The armour really emphasises the physical
and political power of the king.<p>
As
you walk through the show you can see art work that is in incredible condition.
There is an oil painting of Henry VII for example that has weathered the years
so well and which portrays the lavishness of his dress and jewellery. Similarly
Elizabeth I would take enormous pride and care in her jewellery and dress to
present herself in portraits showing her to be the regal, powerful and
beautiful queen of England that she was as well as a fertile bride. We learn of
the many gifts she sent to the Russian court including a stunning set of virginals that she gave to Tsar Boris Godunov. On display are intricate and
stunning pieces of Elizabethan jewelry including ‘The Drake Jewel’ which was
a gift from Elizabeth I to Sir Francis Drake; a gold jewel covered in enamel ,
rubies and diamonds which opens to show a portrait of Elizabeth I and a
phoenix.<p>
The number of silver
gifts given to the Tsars by the English monarchs, such as a magnificent leopard
ewer and a huge basin were many and often Elizabeth I would personally select them
herself for Tsar Ivan IV. She would also give instructions that the figurative
scenes wrought on the precious metal should be explained by engraved
inscriptions. One of the most impressive items on show is an example of one of
the earliest English coaches presented by the ambassador Thom Smith on behalf
of James I to the Tsar. It is immaculately preserved and really portrays the
incredible detail and workmanship of these English craftsmen. On specific parts
of the coach can be seen carved decorations to celebrate Muscovite military
victories. The Russian works on display are stunning; there is an immensely
powerful painting of Prince Peter Potemkin who was a soldier and diplomat sent
to London in 1681 by Tsar Fedor Alekseyevich. The rich details of his fur lined
coat is made to give an impression of the grandeur and splendour of the Russian
court and we learn often startled the English.<p>
The exhibition is keen to explain that if it weren’t for
the Russian curators of the Kremlin much of this English heritage would have
been lost. It is a stunning exhibition and a powerful record of 500 years of
history. I recommend that you do not miss it.
By Larissa Woolf, Arts Editor, VisitMuseums.com
