Micromosaics Highlights from the Gilbert Collection

Micromosaics: Highlights from the Gilbert Collection by Heike Zech presents one of the world’s finest collections of micromosaic art — the extraordinary miniature pictures made from tiny fragments of glass fused into images of remarkable precision and beauty, which became one of the most prized souvenirs of the Grand Tour in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Micromosaics depicting the Colosseum, the Forum, ancient ruins, and Italian landscapes were collected by aristocrats and wealthy travellers across Europe, and the Gilbert Collection, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, contains some of the finest examples ever made. Published by the V&A with exceptional close-up photography that reveals the extraordinary technical skill required by the form, this is essential for collectors, decorative arts enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of art, craft, and travel.