ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM RE-OPENS THREE MAJOR BRITISH ART COLLECTIONS
By Dawn Marshallsay
13/05/2008
The Ashmolean's refurbished second-floor galleries opened on May 13. Courtesy the Ashmolean
Great British artworks are back on show in the Ashmolean Museum's refurbished second-floor galleries, in the initial stage of the Oxford museum’s £61 million redevelopment.
The three permanent collections of 19th century western art, which re-opened on May 13, contain works by Walter Sickert, the Pre-Raphaelites and 19th century British landscape artists such as JMW Turner.
The galleries have new roofing, lighting and décor designed by award-winning architect Rick Mather, and have been supported with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Introducing the techniques of the French Impressionists into English art and painting prostitutes made Sickert one of the most controversial and influential British artists of the 20th century.
His paintings are on show alongside the boldly coloured works of the Camden Town Group – an informal gathering of artists who met in his London studio. Suburban landscapes and modest interiors were their chosen themes.
In memory of England’s green spaces, the British Landscapes gallery contains four masterpieces by Turner and important works by Samuel Palmer and his friends the Ancients.
Other works on display in this second gallery include pieces by Frederick Leighton, Sir Alfred Gilbert and others and Japanese-style Falize jewellery that has not been displayed in the museum for many years.
Following the green theme, the Pre-Raphaelites initially sought to restore to English art the close study of nature found in early Italian painting, before Raphael. The Ashmolean's important collection of these Victorian artists are found in the newly refurbished Combe Gallery and were collected by one of their most important early patrons, Thomas Combe.
The phased renovation of the Western Art galleries will be completed in time for the opening of the entirely renovated Ashmolean building in autumn 2009. European art from the 14th to the 18th centuries will be displayed on the first floor, 19th century art on the second, and 20th century collections will be presented in two new galleries on the top floor.
Most of the Western Art galleries are still open, including the Print Room housing works by Michelangelo and Samuel Palmer, as is the Ashmolean’s popular Treasures exhibition, which also continues to woo the crowds.
