Death in The V and A

Housing 2.8 million objects based around applied and decorative arts, since 1852 the Victoria and Albert Museum has sought to champion design and creativity. Founded as a legacy project from the Great Exhibition of 1851, today the museum boasts spectacular objects such as the magnificent Hereford Rood screen by George Gilbert Scott and the Cast Courts: which hold plaster replicas of famous works such as Michelandelo's David and the Trajan Column.

Death is here too, represented in devotional and everyday objects. From the grisly beauty of Tipoo's Tiger, a serene Palmyrene funerary relief from 150BCE, to the gilded 16th century reliquary of Antigius and a 1960s poster regarding the dangers of eating grapes. What can these objects teach us about death, history and its commemoration in art and design?

Join public, cemetery and LGBTQ+ historian Sheldon K. Goodman for an uncoventional tour of The Victoria and Albert Museum!

Important meeting info

We will meet by the main reception desk as you enter the museum from its entrance on Cromwell Gardens. Sheldon will be wearting a long blue coat and skull pin on his left lapel. He will be there from 1:20pm.

Testimonials

'If you’re interested in history or simply enjoy a good story well told, I’d highly recommend joining one of his tours' - Laschelli

'Sheldon was very knowledgeable, friendly, and a great storyteller. I learned a lot and was entertained at the same time. I look forward to another Cemetery Club tour the next time I'm in London' - Cory S

'This amazing Tour Guide shared his knowledge of history and respect for those who couldn’t speak for themselves, even during their lifetime, with truly compassionate manner. Objects and images became alive making the group engaged the entire time. Highly recommended!' - Agnieszka W