The Ashmolean Museum of Art & Archaeology, Oxford

http://www.ashmolean.org/

Donated to the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole in 1683, the museum’s collection has continued to grow throughout its history. In 1908 its two separate strands of art and artefacts were merged to form the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. The building has recently undergone a redevelopment by Rick Mather Architects, creating an additional thirty-nine galleries that are now open to the public.

The Ashmolean has a small collection of early Italian Renaissance art and a unique collection of works by Rembrandt and a series of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings, including the Daisy Linda Ward Collection of still life paintings. During its period of membership of the Contemporary Art Society the Ashmolean has been gifted important works by artists as diverse as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Walter Sickert, David Bomberg, Jacob Epstein, Henry Moore and Rachel Whiteread.

Guest editor’s note:
The building is stunning. The openness of the spaces allows for the displays to cross cultures and times, with the civilisations of the east and west developing as an interrelated world culture. The displays are simple and moving, with the old coming alive in a truly world-class museum. Visit the Ashmolean and Modern Art Oxford for a truly great day out.

Reviewed by: Allia Ali