Medieval treasures from the Victoria & Albert Museum: exhibition extended at Hôtel de la Marine

TheHôtel de la Marine is offering us a little trip to London this summer... The museum unveils a captivating exhibition entitled Medieval Treasures from the Victoria & Albert Museum, When the English Spoke French. Over 70 exceptional works from the English Middle Ages are on display.

From June 30, 2023 to January 7, 2024, admire these masterpieces on loan for the very first time from London's Victoria and Albert Museum at theHôtel de la Marine . This exhibition from the Al Thani Collection showcases sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, enamelled glass, ivories, illuminated manuscripts, textiles and goldsmiths' and silversmiths' work, revealing the skills of English medieval artists and craftsmen... But that's not all!

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The exhibition also aims to show the complex relationship betweenEngland and France during this period. Between wars and periods of peace, cultural and commercial exchanges enriched artistic practices on both sides of the Channel. These works reveal theinfluence the two cultures had on each other, but also the influence brought by other cultural powers of the time, such as Italy.

Art reflects these exchanges, this sharing of knowledge, this bond that unites European countries and neighboring nations. Far from being a dark, closed period, the Middle Ages were, on the contrary, a very rich time for all art and history enthusiasts!

The Middle Ages also saw a flourishing of artistic production in England, renowned for its refined embroidery and alabaster sculptures, which were highly prized throughout Europe. English monasteries also played an essential role in establishing networks across the continent.

The exhibition is organized into several sections highlighting different aspects of medieval culture. Here's an overview of the sections and the treasures to be discovered:

Monastic networks:

• The importance of monastic networks in cultural and artistic exchanges between England and continental Europe.
• Gifts of manuscripts, books and relics between monasteries, helping to spread knowledge and inspire artists.
• Highlighting the Gloucester Candlestick, a masterpiece of English goldsmithing, and the Châsse de saint Thomas Becket, a reliquary in Limoges enamel.

Dynastic unions and aristocratic taste:

• International dynastic marriages as political and diplomatic tools.
• Presentation of the Coffret de Valence and the Aiguière de Marguerite d'York, examples of the influence of political alliances on artistic taste.

Masterpieces and artistic production in England:

• The reputation of English alabaster embroidery and sculpture throughout Europe.
• Presentation of the Head of St. John the Baptist and the Balfour Ciborium, testifying to the talent of English craftsmen.

Paris: Luxury and influence:

• The "Paris: Luxury and Influence" section highlights the influence of the French capital in the 14th century as a major center for the production of luxury goods. Jewelry and small ivory sculptures created in Parisian workshops contributed to the rise of the Parisian style in Europe. The materials used, imported through extensive trade networks, came from Europe, Africa and Asia. This section presents rings, brooches and jewels adorned with precious stones, as well as an ivory sculpture depicting Christ on the Cross, testifying to the emotional intensity and artistic quality of the period.

Come and discover these masterpieces, and the stories behind their creation, by visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum's Medieval Treasures exhibition at Hôtel de la Marine.