The Ashmolean Museum Collection is a world-renowned collection of art, antiquities and historical artifacts, housed at the University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. Founded in 1683, the collection is one of the oldest in the world and features some of the most important and iconic objects in the history of art and archaeology. The collection includes ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian antiquities, Renaissance paintings, British and European decorative arts, and much more. The museum also holds an impressive library of books and manuscripts, with many rare and out-of-print titles.
Overview
The Ashmolean Museum is one of the oldest public museums in the world and is home to an unrivaled collection of art, antiquities and historical artifacts. The museum was founded in 1683 when Elias Ashmole donated his personal collection of coins, medals, manuscripts and books to the University of Oxford. Since then, the collection has grown to include ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian antiquities, Renaissance paintings, British and European decorative arts, coins, medals and books. The collection also includes archaeological finds from many different periods and cultures, including the Roman, Egyptian, Greek, Byzantine, Medieval and Early Modern.
Highlights of the Collection
The Ashmolean Museum Collection is renowned for its breadth and quality, and is home to some of the most iconic and important objects in the history of art and archaeology. Highlights of the collection include:
- Egyptian Antiquities: The museum’s collection of Egyptian antiquities includes objects from the Predynastic Period (circa 4000-3000 BC) to the Roman Period (30 BC – 641 AD). Highlights of the collection include the Amarna Princess, the first painted sculpture of a human figure to be discovered in Egypt; the Gayer-Anderson Cat, a wooden cat statue; and the Head of Amenhotep III, one of the most famous sculptures of the New Kingdom.
- Greek and Roman Sculpture: The museum’s collection of Greek and Roman sculpture includes a range of sculptures from the Archaic period (circa 600-480 BC) to the Roman period (circa 100 BC – 400 AD). Highlights of the collection include the Charioteer of Delphi, a bronze sculpture of a chariot driver from the 5th century BC; the Barberini Faun, a Hellenistic marble sculpture of a satyr; and the Marble Statue of Aphrodite, a Roman copy of a 4th century BC Greek original.
- Renaissance Paintings: The museum’s collection of Renaissance paintings includes works by some of the most renowned artists of the period, including Titian, Raphael, and Caravaggio. Highlights of the collection include Raphael’s Madonna of the Pinks, Titian’s Venus and Adonis, and Caravaggio’s The Supper at Emmaus.
- British and European Decorative Arts: The museum’s collection of British and European decorative arts includes furniture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and textiles from the 16th to the 20th century. Highlights of the collection include the 16th century Windsor Chair, a fine example of English furniture; the ‘Lily’ Vase, a 17th century Chinese porcelain vase; and the Bow Porcelain Factory, a set of 18th century porcelain figurines.
Library
The Ashmolean Museum also holds an impressive library of books and manuscripts, with many rare and out-of-print titles. The library includes a range of publications on the history of art and archaeology, as well as books and manuscripts related to the museum’s collection.
Online Resources
The Ashmolean Museum has an extensive online presence, with a range of digital resources available to explore the museum’s collection. Visitors can access a selection of images and videos of the collection, as well as detailed descriptions and histories of the various objects. The museum also offers virtual tours of the galleries, allowing visitors to explore the collection from the comfort of their own home.
The Ashmolean Museum Collection is an unrivaled collection of art, antiquities and historical artifacts, and is one of the most important collections in the world. With its impressive library and online resources, the museum is a great place to explore and discover the history of art and archaeology.
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