Series 6 Episode 2
Curator Katharine wants to celebrate a famous artist’s lesser known work after unearthing a series of John Constable’s landscape prints of the Suffolk countryside, and she visits contemporary artist Sarah Gillespie in her studio to explore the mezzotint process.
Meanwhile, curator Kate has travelled to Dungeness to meet multi Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell, who in 2020 wore a cream calico suit to different awards ceremonies and asked stars to sign her outfit. The suit was auctioned to raise money for the preservation of the cottage belonging to late artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman, which is a site of pilgrimage for artists all over the world. The suit was donated by its new owner Edwina Dunn to the V&A.
Also in this episode, the V&A is preparing a new exhibition on the world-famous goldsmith Carl Fabergé. Best known for his bejewelled Easter eggs, the exhibition will highlight Fabergé’s work for his British clients, including many pieces for The Royal Family. The Royal Collection is lending 70 Fabergé pieces for the show, including the memento of a royal love affair in the shape of a diamond-encrusted cigarette case.
Meanwhile in V&A Dundee, new Beano artwork of Minnie The Minx is being displayed alongside Dennis The Menace. As the first female artist in the Beano’s 80-year history, Minnie’s illustrator Laura Howell provides curator Meredith with a unique insight into this mischievous rule-breaker.
Secrets Of The Museum was commissioned for BBC Arts and BBC Two by Emma Cahusac, BBC Arts Commissioning Editor. It is a Blast! Films production and was Executive Produced by Alistair Pegg and Sacha Baveystock, and the Series Producer is Paula Fasht.
April 13 @ 20:00
20:00 — 21:00 (1h)
BBC Two