Ashmolean Museum
Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum is the country’s oldest public museum and home to one of the most important collections of art and archaeology to be found anywhere.
The collections span the civilisations of east and west, charting the aspirations of humankind from the Neolithic era to the present day. Among its treasures are the world's largest collection of Raphael drawings, the most important collection of pre-Dynastic Egyptian material in Europe, the only great Minoan collection in Britain, the finest Anglo-Saxon collections outside the British Museum and the foremost collection of modern Chinese art in the Western world.
Venue Type:
Museum, Gallery, Archive
Additional info
Parking is available next to the Museum on St. Giles
The entire collection of the Ashmolean Museum is a Designated Collection of national importance.
The Ashmolean Museum was founded in 1683, the first institutional museum in Britain, and arguably in Europe. Notable among antiquities are the Egyptian collections, the Classical Greek collections including the ‘Arundel Marbles’ and the Felix Gem, and the Alfred Jewel. Paintings date from early Italian to Pre-Raphaelite and there are outstanding drawings by Raphael and Michelangelo. The arts of China, Japan, South East Asia and Islam are well represented, as are Maiolica, Renaissance bronzes and numismatics.
Collection details
World Cultures, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Coins and Medals, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection
Raphael: The Drawings
- 1 June — 3 September 2017 *on now
The Ashmolean’s captivating summer show brings together 120 stunning works from international collections spanning the brief but brilliant career of this Renaissance genius.
Aged only 37 when he died, Raphael’s fame in drawing had a transformative effect on European art over centuries. This exciting exhibition focuses on his extraordinary creativity, and shows how exploration and experimentation shaped his breathtakingly accomplished drawings.
The Ashmolean’s unrivalled Raphaels are joined by superb works from the Albertina and loans from other international collections including the Louvre, the Uffizi and Her Majesty the Queen. Drawings include the exquisite Head of a Muse, which broke records when auctioned at Christies in 2009, as well as the sublime Heads and Hands of two Apostles, considered to be the finest drawing Raphael ever made.
Witness the expressive power of Raphael’s drawings and see how they still ‘speak’ to us today, almost 500 years after they were created.
Admission
Full Price Ticket with Gift Aid Donation £13.50 (£12 for a Standard Full Price Ticket)
Entry is FREE for children under 12 years, University of Oxford students and Members of the Ashmolean.
Tickets are discounted at 50% for children aged 12–17 years and Art Fund Members.
Concession tickets are available for senior citizens, students, those who are unemployed, and University of Oxford staff & alumni.
Website
http://www.ashmolean.org/exhibitions/raphael/
Ashmolean After Hours
- 30 June 2017 5-8pm
We will be keeping our doors open late so you can explore the museum, enjoy an evening viewing of Raphael: The Drawings, or attend a talk, all after our normal closing time. A perfect opportunity to relax after work or meet friends. There will be music and bars serving food and drink.
General entry to the museum is free.
TALK: Raphael – The Curator’s View
With Dr Catherine Whistler, exhibition curator and Keeper of Western Art
6pm, Lecture Theatre
Tickets are £6/£5 and booking is essential.
Admission
General entry to the museum is free, tickets for exhibition talk are £6/£5 and booking is essential.
Website
http://www.ashmolean.org/events/SpecialEvents/?id=148
Anglo-Saxons & Vikings Big Weekend
- 15 — 16 July 2017 10-5am
Come and join our big weekend of fun-filled activities, talks and crafts for all ages.
Get to grips with life as an Anglo-Saxon in an object handling session, or sit back and be transported by live music, storytelling and riddles. Hear from experts in our programme of talks, including the finder of our recent acquisition, the Watlington Viking Hoard, then experience the production methods of these ancient treasures. Pick up a programme of activities on the day!
The weekend is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
FREE
Website
http://www.ashmolean.org/events/Festival/
Ashmolean After Hours
- 21 July 2017 5-8pm
We will be keeping our doors open late so you can explore the museum, enjoy an evening viewing of Raphael: The Drawings, or attend a talk, all after our normal closing time. A perfect opportunity to relax after work or meet friends. There will be music and bars serving food and drink.
General entry to the museum is free.
TALK: Raphael, from the Sweet Style to the Monumental
With Alice Foster, Art historian and Lecturer
6pm, Lecture Theatre
Chart Raphael’s meteoric change of style, from his early years up to his time working by invitation of the Pope on the prestigious Vatican apartments.
Tickets are £6/£5 and booking is essential.
Admission
General entry to the museum is free, tickets for exhibition talk are £6/£5 and booking is essential.
Website
http://www.ashmolean.org/events/SpecialEvents/?id=148
Ashmolean After Hours
- 25 August 2017 5-8pm
We will be keeping our doors open late so you can explore the museum, enjoy an evening viewing of Raphael: The Drawings, or attend a talk, all after our normal closing time. A perfect opportunity to relax after work or meet friends. There will be music and bars serving food and drink.
General entry to the museum is free.
WORKSHOP: An introduction to iPad drawing
With Martin Beek, Artist
6pm, Education Centre & Galleries
Draw objects on an iPad using Zen Brush. Add colour and layer your art work with Procreate app. Tickets are £10/£9 and booking is essential.
Admission
General entry to the museum is free, tickets for workshop are £10/£9 and booking is essential.
Website
http://www.ashmolean.org/events/SpecialEvents/?id=148
Ashmolean Museum
Beaumont Street
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 2PH
England
Website
Education Service
education.service@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
Museum shop
Telephone
01865 278000
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