The Genius of Wedgwood

Josiah Wedgwood, one of the most remarkable men of his century, transformed British pottery from a cottage craft to a manufacturing industry with worldwide exports. At the heart of his achievement was his pioneering recognition that quality art and design would give Wedgwood wares their distinction.In an exhibition to mark the bicentenary of his death, the Victoria and Albert Museum has brought together for the first time more than 500 of the beautiful works and designs created in Josiah Wedgwood's lifetime - many of them never exhibited before. They include a magnificent selection of pieces from the famous Frog Service, commissioned by Catherine the Great and sent to Russia in 1774.The Genius of Wedgwood introduces and explains in detail every item in the exhibition and contains contributions by leading Wedgwood experts from Britain and Russia.Illustrated with 50 colour and 140 black and white photographs, it is a unique portrait of the man and his work.