The Ashmolean Art Museum: A Journey Through Time
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford, England is one of the world’s oldest public museums. Founded in 1683, it is now one of the largest and most important collections of art and artifacts in the world. It has a rich and varied collection of art, antiquities, and artifacts spanning thousands of years of human history. From Ancient Egypt to Renaissance Italy, the Ashmolean Museum is a journey through time, with something for everyone to discover.
The History of the Ashmolean
The Ashmolean Museum was founded in 1683 by the English antiquarian and collector Elias Ashmole. It was originally housed in the University of Oxford’s first public museum building, the Old Ashmolean Building. In 1845, the museum moved to its current location, the New Ashmolean Building, and has been there ever since. The museum is named after its founder, Elias Ashmole, and has become a major part of Oxford’s cultural heritage.
The Collection
The Ashmolean Museum has an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. It includes over 600,000 objects, ranging from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary art. The collection covers a vast range of topics, including archaeology, art history, coins, medals, and ancient manuscripts. It also has a wide variety of artifacts from different cultures and eras, including Chinese ceramics, Japanese prints, and Roman coins.
The Highlights
The Ashmolean Museum has many highlights in its collection. Some of the most notable include:
- The Alfred Jewel – This Anglo-Saxon artifact is a gold and enamel pendant that is believed to have been created in the late ninth century. It is one of the most important artifacts in the Ashmolean Museum and is on permanent display.
- The Raphael Cartoons – These are a series of seven large cartoons (preparatory drawings) by the Italian Renaissance painter Raphael. They are some of the most important drawings in the museum and were purchased by the museum in 1865.
- The Oxyrhynchus Papyri – This collection consists of over 500,000 fragments of ancient Greek manuscripts, which were discovered in an ancient garbage dump in Egypt. The collection includes literary texts, letters, and legal documents from the 3rd century BC to the 7th century AD.
Events and Exhibitions
The Ashmolean Museum hosts a variety of events and exhibitions throughout the year. These range from educational events, such as lectures and workshops, to art exhibitions, concerts, and film screenings. The museum also hosts a number of special exhibitions, such as the popular “Treasures of the Ashmolean” exhibition, which showcases some of the museum’s most important artifacts.
The Future of the Ashmolean
The Ashmolean Museum is one of the world’s oldest and most important public museums. It is a unique and invaluable resource for scholars, students, and visitors alike, and it is a source of great pride for the people of Oxford. As the museum continues to grow and evolve, it will remain a key part of Oxford’s cultural heritage for generations to come.
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