The Bottom Line
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford is a gem of a place to view paintings because it doesn't have the crowds you encounter in London's more famous museums. (Unless you happen to encounter a tour group in one of the rooms.) You don't have your elbows jogged as you look at a particular painting, nor is the museum so huge you get mentally exhausted (and foot sore) trying to see everything.
The Ashmolean is undergoing major renovations (into 2009) but the painting collections are due to be open throughout. Contact the museum if you're going to view a specific work though to check it is on display.
Pros
- Unless you encounter a tour group, the art galleries are quiet.
- Delightful to encounter less-known paintings by 'Big Name' artists
- Collection includes both Western and Eastern art, though more of the former.
Cons
- Undergoing extensive rebuilding, so check opening times and what's on display before visiting.
Description
- Located in Beaumont Street, in the center of Oxford, UK. Free entry. Closed on Mondays, bank holidays, Christmas, New Year.
- Collections include a Cast Gallery of classical sculpture, Western Art, Eastern Art, antiquities, and coins.
- Parts of the collection can be viewed on the Ashmolean's website.
- The Ashmolean opened on 24 May 1683, when the word "museum" was still a new one.
Guide Review - Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology in Oxford has an eclectic collection of Western and Eastern art, including lesser-known (or rather less publicized) paintings and drawings by famous artists. It includes well-known names such as Van Gogh and Pissarro, plus many others (browse full list).
The cast collection is perfect for trying your hand at traditional, atelier-style drawing, with a number of casts of classic sculptures in various poses. You will of course have other visitors glancing over your should at what you're doing, and depending on the time of day may encounter small groups of school children drawing.
When I visited the painting and cast collection galleries had not yet been renovated, but as they were the lighting was lovely (soft but not dark, little glare on the paintings). There was seating available in several areas to rest my tired feet and if I'd had time I would've stopped in the cast collection to do some extended sketching. (Next time I'll plan this into my holiday itinerary!)
The gallery guards were very friendly as well as knowledgeable about the collection, not the more usual frowning presence to stop you from touching the art. The museum offers various workshops and lectures (details on its website) but for a first visit I found the paintings more than enough to keep me totally absorbed. I left with various 'new' names noted in my sketchbook and memories of 'new' paintings by familiar artists.
