British Museum, London

A modern illuminated Kunstkammer

Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild bequeathed the »Waddes-on-Bequest« to the British Museum in 1898. The bequest is named after its original location, Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, and it is an impressive collection of medevial and Renaissance art.

The exhibition is based on the form of historic art chambers (Kunstkammern). In ten recessed and four free-standing display cases, the exhibits are presented in a relatively small space, which was a challenge for both the display case and lighting designers, because a lot of daylight enters the gallery from the windows in the upper part of the room and at times even direct sunlight falls on the exhibits.

The diamond-shaped showcases are made entirely of extra-clear, anti reflective glass and their shape guides the visitor through the exhibition. LED-Luc minispots were installed in the display case ceilings to illuminate the exhibits, and honey-comb louvre attachements serve as a glare shield. Further minispots were installed on the showcases and the gallery as uplights