Ashmolean

The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, commonly known as the Ashmolean, is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology. Located on Broad Street in Oxford, England, it preserves a diverse collection that covers ancient civilizations to the modern era and serves as a public museum and educational resource.

The museum was founded on the bequest of Elias Ashmole in the 17th century and opened in 1683 as one of the earliest purpose-built public museums in Britain. The original Ashmolean Building has been extended and renovated over the years, with a major expansion and refurbishment completed in the early 21st century to create additional galleries, learning spaces, and public areas.

Collections at the Ashmolean span a wide range of cultures and periods. The holdings include ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities; Near Eastern and other ancient artifacts; East Asian art, including Chinese and Japanese works; Islamic art; and European art from the Renaissance to modern times, including Old Master paintings, sculpture, prints, and drawings. The museum also emphasizes research, exhibitions, and educational programs that connect its collections to scholarly study and public engagement.

As part of the University of Oxford, the Ashmolean supports teaching and research while remaining open to visitors. It offers rotating exhibitions, scholarly publications, and programs for schools and the general public, contributing to the university’s broader mission of learning and cultural preservation.