the victoria and albert

I can't decide if I love the Victoria and Albert museum in Kensington. There's definitely a lot to see and the museum's gift shop and book stores are amazing treasure troves. But there's so much to see that I feel overwhelmed; sculptures, paintings, jewellery, cast iron, tapestries, etc. I know it's important to preserve these artefacts. But when I'm looking at ornate silverware, I can't help feeling that this objects exist to display the opulence of a bygone era of wealth, and it's something that just didn't sit right with me. I am by no means a saint, but I can't help feeling that many of these intricate objects could have been used to feed families, school children, etc.

One of my favourite moments in the V&A

One of my favourite displays in the museum wasn't even on display. This section of the museum had been cordoned off. But sometimes fate intervenes; a sculpture of an angel against a window below a halo of lights. I was so lucky to be there at the right place and the right time.

Sometimes it pays to look up

Monument to Emily Georgiana, Countess of Winchelsea by Laurence MacDonald

This is my favourite piece from the museum. It's a beautiful piece, but above all I was moved by this loving tribute to the late Countess.

I
When the Knell hung for the dying
Soundeth for
And my corse coldly is lying
Neath the green tree

II
When the turf strangers are heaping
Covers my breast
Come not to gaze on me weeping
I am at rest

III
All my life coldly and sadly
The days have gone by
I who dreamed wildly and madly
Am happy to die

IV
Long since my heart has been breaking
Its pain is past
A time has been set to its aching
Peace comes at last

W.G.W.& N.

Heartbreaking and beautiful. Does everything heartbreaking end up beautiful?