Three cream-colour figures, two women and a man in centre

Desire, love and identity

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Explore the theme of desire, love and identity.

The Museum's collection offers many perspectives on desire, love and identity, from ancient history to the present day. As time has progressed ideals have varied widely from culture to culture, a reminder that diversity is integral to the human condition.

Same-sex love, desire and gender diversity have always existed, and this is reflected in objects which offer glimpses into LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) lives and experiences from around the world.

Most museum collections don't represent all identities, perspectives and experiences equally. This is partly due to what survives, but it also reflects what was collected in the past, how it was researched and how information was catalogued.

Explore the stories, blog posts and videos below, inspired by love, desire and identity.

Collection stories

  • Two patterned porcelain cups with lids and a saucer

    The Ladies of Llangollen

    Discover more about the two remarkable women who once owned this pair of 18th-century, porcelain chocolate cups.
  • Satirical print showing a room of stockbrokers with speech bubbles

    The Chevalier d'Eon

    Look at gender diversity through the life of this 18th-century soldier, spy and diplomat, depicted in a selection of prints in the Museum.
  • Two figures, possibly human, in a loving embrace

    Love around the world

    Settle in for a whistle-stop tour of romance through the ages, from Civil War England to ancient Egypt.

Collection highlights

  • Sarah Ponsonby (left) and Eleanor Butler (right) late in life

    'Ladies of Llangollen' by Richard James Lane

  • Two figures, possibly human, in a loving embrace

    Ain Sakhri lovers sculpture

  • Portrait of the Chevalier D'Eon fencing, foil aloft, wearing a dress

    Portrait of the Chevalier d'Eon

  • One of two patterned porcelain cups with lids and a saucer.

    Porcelain chocolate cup

  • The Discobolus: marble statue of an athlete stooping to throw the discus

    The Townley Discobolus

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