Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
@ashmoleanmuseum.bsky.social
🖼 🏺 World famous collections, from Egyptian mummies to contemporary art
🕙 Open every day 10am–5pm 🏛 linktr.ee/ashmoleanmuseum
🕙 Open every day 10am–5pm 🏛 linktr.ee/ashmoleanmuseum
Take a closer look at the original artwork that inspired today's animation by Alex Mitchell.
John Ruskin created this vibrant study of a Kingfisher in 1871.
Ruskin believed that the colours of the natural world could inspire and guide artists who should replicate them as truthfully as possible.
John Ruskin created this vibrant study of a Kingfisher in 1871.
Ruskin believed that the colours of the natural world could inspire and guide artists who should replicate them as truthfully as possible.
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Take a closer look at the original artwork that inspired today's animation by Alex Mitchell.
John Ruskin created this vibrant study of a Kingfisher in 1871.
Ruskin believed that the colours of the natural world could inspire and guide artists who should replicate them as truthfully as possible.
John Ruskin created this vibrant study of a Kingfisher in 1871.
Ruskin believed that the colours of the natural world could inspire and guide artists who should replicate them as truthfully as possible.
Have you ever seen a Kingfisher?
Alex Mitchell brings John Ruskin's Study of a Kingfisher to life in this beautiful animation.
💙 Study of a Kingfisher, John Ruskin (1819 - 1900), 1871. WA.RS.RUD.201
Alex Mitchell brings John Ruskin's Study of a Kingfisher to life in this beautiful animation.
💙 Study of a Kingfisher, John Ruskin (1819 - 1900), 1871. WA.RS.RUD.201
November 24, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Have you ever seen a Kingfisher?
Alex Mitchell brings John Ruskin's Study of a Kingfisher to life in this beautiful animation.
💙 Study of a Kingfisher, John Ruskin (1819 - 1900), 1871. WA.RS.RUD.201
Alex Mitchell brings John Ruskin's Study of a Kingfisher to life in this beautiful animation.
💙 Study of a Kingfisher, John Ruskin (1819 - 1900), 1871. WA.RS.RUD.201
This beautiful painting on a seated dancer is by French Impressionist painter Jean-Louis Forain.
Born in Reims, France in 1852, Forain began his career as a caricaturist for a number of Paris journals, eventually enrolling in the École des Beaux Arts.
🖼️ Seated Dancer, 1918–1920. WA1987.17
Born in Reims, France in 1852, Forain began his career as a caricaturist for a number of Paris journals, eventually enrolling in the École des Beaux Arts.
🖼️ Seated Dancer, 1918–1920. WA1987.17
November 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
This beautiful painting on a seated dancer is by French Impressionist painter Jean-Louis Forain.
Born in Reims, France in 1852, Forain began his career as a caricaturist for a number of Paris journals, eventually enrolling in the École des Beaux Arts.
🖼️ Seated Dancer, 1918–1920. WA1987.17
Born in Reims, France in 1852, Forain began his career as a caricaturist for a number of Paris journals, eventually enrolling in the École des Beaux Arts.
🖼️ Seated Dancer, 1918–1920. WA1987.17
"It is a tremendous honour to have won this prestigious award and hugely gratifying for the Ashmolean team and our many supporters who helped bring this remarkable painting into a public collection." - Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum
We are delighted to announce that ‘The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John the Evangelist and the Magdalen’ by Fra Angelico, acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, is the winner of the Apollo Acquisition of the Year award, which is supported by BRAFA
apollo-magazine.com/apollo-award...
apollo-magazine.com/apollo-award...
November 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"It is a tremendous honour to have won this prestigious award and hugely gratifying for the Ashmolean team and our many supporters who helped bring this remarkable painting into a public collection." - Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum
What animal design would you put on a coin?
This coin is a silver 'unit' from Iron Age East Anglia, c.10–45 CE.
On one side is a horse with the letters 'CEN' below, which is part of the full legend: 'ECEN'. We do not know who ECEN was – some believe it was the name of a ruler or a wealthy person.
This coin is a silver 'unit' from Iron Age East Anglia, c.10–45 CE.
On one side is a horse with the letters 'CEN' below, which is part of the full legend: 'ECEN'. We do not know who ECEN was – some believe it was the name of a ruler or a wealthy person.
November 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What animal design would you put on a coin?
This coin is a silver 'unit' from Iron Age East Anglia, c.10–45 CE.
On one side is a horse with the letters 'CEN' below, which is part of the full legend: 'ECEN'. We do not know who ECEN was – some believe it was the name of a ruler or a wealthy person.
This coin is a silver 'unit' from Iron Age East Anglia, c.10–45 CE.
On one side is a horse with the letters 'CEN' below, which is part of the full legend: 'ECEN'. We do not know who ECEN was – some believe it was the name of a ruler or a wealthy person.
Where music and art come together 🤝
This Is What You Get offers a closer look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
This Is What You Get offers a closer look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Where music and art come together 🤝
This Is What You Get offers a closer look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
This Is What You Get offers a closer look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
Take a closer look at the Oxford Crown.
If you know Oxford, you'll be able to make out the cityscape set behind King Charles I. The reverse dates the coin to 1644 and advertises Charles’s aims in the Civil war: to uphold the Protestant religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament.
If you know Oxford, you'll be able to make out the cityscape set behind King Charles I. The reverse dates the coin to 1644 and advertises Charles’s aims in the Civil war: to uphold the Protestant religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament.
November 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Take a closer look at the Oxford Crown.
If you know Oxford, you'll be able to make out the cityscape set behind King Charles I. The reverse dates the coin to 1644 and advertises Charles’s aims in the Civil war: to uphold the Protestant religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament.
If you know Oxford, you'll be able to make out the cityscape set behind King Charles I. The reverse dates the coin to 1644 and advertises Charles’s aims in the Civil war: to uphold the Protestant religion, the laws of England and the freedom of Parliament.
Today we’re sharing this remarkable coin as you’ve never seen it before, brought to life by talented animator Dominic Althoefer.
Known as the Oxford Crown, this coin shows King Charles I in front of the city of Oxford. It marks his presence in Oxford between 1642–6, during the English Civil War.
Known as the Oxford Crown, this coin shows King Charles I in front of the city of Oxford. It marks his presence in Oxford between 1642–6, during the English Civil War.
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Today we’re sharing this remarkable coin as you’ve never seen it before, brought to life by talented animator Dominic Althoefer.
Known as the Oxford Crown, this coin shows King Charles I in front of the city of Oxford. It marks his presence in Oxford between 1642–6, during the English Civil War.
Known as the Oxford Crown, this coin shows King Charles I in front of the city of Oxford. It marks his presence in Oxford between 1642–6, during the English Civil War.
This print is one of Hiroshige’s best-known works, depicting travellers caught in a summer rainstorm. 🌧️
By accentuating diagonals throughout the composition and intensifying with tonal variation of the black ink in the background, Hiroshige effectively captures the feeling of the driving rain.
By accentuating diagonals throughout the composition and intensifying with tonal variation of the black ink in the background, Hiroshige effectively captures the feeling of the driving rain.
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
This print is one of Hiroshige’s best-known works, depicting travellers caught in a summer rainstorm. 🌧️
By accentuating diagonals throughout the composition and intensifying with tonal variation of the black ink in the background, Hiroshige effectively captures the feeling of the driving rain.
By accentuating diagonals throughout the composition and intensifying with tonal variation of the black ink in the background, Hiroshige effectively captures the feeling of the driving rain.
This small button brooch, with its friendly face, dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period.
Button brooches are a type of early Anglo-Saxon brooch commonly found in the south east of England. Objects like this are typically decorated with an anthropomorphic, or human-style face.
😊 AN1988.47
Button brooches are a type of early Anglo-Saxon brooch commonly found in the south east of England. Objects like this are typically decorated with an anthropomorphic, or human-style face.
😊 AN1988.47
November 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM
This small button brooch, with its friendly face, dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period.
Button brooches are a type of early Anglo-Saxon brooch commonly found in the south east of England. Objects like this are typically decorated with an anthropomorphic, or human-style face.
😊 AN1988.47
Button brooches are a type of early Anglo-Saxon brooch commonly found in the south east of England. Objects like this are typically decorated with an anthropomorphic, or human-style face.
😊 AN1988.47
Autumn and winter flowers are painted across this screen by the samurai artist Watanabe Shikō.
This screen shows the artist's mastery of tarashikomi, the dripping of ink or paint onto areas of wet colour to produce an effect of diffusion – ideal for depicting leaves or petals.
This screen shows the artist's mastery of tarashikomi, the dripping of ink or paint onto areas of wet colour to produce an effect of diffusion – ideal for depicting leaves or petals.
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Autumn and winter flowers are painted across this screen by the samurai artist Watanabe Shikō.
This screen shows the artist's mastery of tarashikomi, the dripping of ink or paint onto areas of wet colour to produce an effect of diffusion – ideal for depicting leaves or petals.
This screen shows the artist's mastery of tarashikomi, the dripping of ink or paint onto areas of wet colour to produce an effect of diffusion – ideal for depicting leaves or petals.
John Singer Sargent created this piece in 1906.
It shows a balustrade leading to the front door of the church of SS Domenico e Sisto in Rome.
During his visits to Italy, Sargent sought relief from painting portraits and turned to landscapes, both in oils and watercolours.
It shows a balustrade leading to the front door of the church of SS Domenico e Sisto in Rome.
During his visits to Italy, Sargent sought relief from painting portraits and turned to landscapes, both in oils and watercolours.
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM
John Singer Sargent created this piece in 1906.
It shows a balustrade leading to the front door of the church of SS Domenico e Sisto in Rome.
During his visits to Italy, Sargent sought relief from painting portraits and turned to landscapes, both in oils and watercolours.
It shows a balustrade leading to the front door of the church of SS Domenico e Sisto in Rome.
During his visits to Italy, Sargent sought relief from painting portraits and turned to landscapes, both in oils and watercolours.
Leaf through the pages of the This Is What You Get exhibition catalogue…
This beautifully designed book features a carefully curated selection of visual works of art by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, alongside guest essays from artists, curators & broadcasters: shop.ashmolean.org/collections/...
This beautifully designed book features a carefully curated selection of visual works of art by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, alongside guest essays from artists, curators & broadcasters: shop.ashmolean.org/collections/...
November 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Leaf through the pages of the This Is What You Get exhibition catalogue…
This beautifully designed book features a carefully curated selection of visual works of art by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, alongside guest essays from artists, curators & broadcasters: shop.ashmolean.org/collections/...
This beautifully designed book features a carefully curated selection of visual works of art by Stanley Donwood and Thom Yorke, alongside guest essays from artists, curators & broadcasters: shop.ashmolean.org/collections/...
Today is Remembrance Day, marking the day World War One ended - at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Today is Remembrance Day, marking the day World War One ended - at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
We will pause at 11am today for a two-minute silence for Remembrance.
In the Air, 1917, Christopher Nevinson (1889 - 1946). Lithograph. WA1919.31.40
Between 1000 and 300 BCE, potters in Cyprus produced pottery and figures for daily use, feasting, ritual, and as gifts for the dead and the gods.
This wine jug, or oinochoe, dates to about 750-600 BCE and has been decorated with an ibis bird picking at a lotus flower.
AN1967.1088
This wine jug, or oinochoe, dates to about 750-600 BCE and has been decorated with an ibis bird picking at a lotus flower.
AN1967.1088
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Between 1000 and 300 BCE, potters in Cyprus produced pottery and figures for daily use, feasting, ritual, and as gifts for the dead and the gods.
This wine jug, or oinochoe, dates to about 750-600 BCE and has been decorated with an ibis bird picking at a lotus flower.
AN1967.1088
This wine jug, or oinochoe, dates to about 750-600 BCE and has been decorated with an ibis bird picking at a lotus flower.
AN1967.1088
Gold autumnal leaves and plants are scattered across this beautiful little ojime bead.
An ojime is used to fasten the cord of an inrō (tiered lacquer carrying case). They are often intricately carved from materials like wood, lacquer, or metal.
An ojime is used to fasten the cord of an inrō (tiered lacquer carrying case). They are often intricately carved from materials like wood, lacquer, or metal.
November 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Gold autumnal leaves and plants are scattered across this beautiful little ojime bead.
An ojime is used to fasten the cord of an inrō (tiered lacquer carrying case). They are often intricately carved from materials like wood, lacquer, or metal.
An ojime is used to fasten the cord of an inrō (tiered lacquer carrying case). They are often intricately carved from materials like wood, lacquer, or metal.
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
What is your favourite bird?
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
These little sparrows are a detail of a two-fold painted and embroidered screen by Takeuchi Seihō.
'Together they have pushed and led ad absurdum the boundaries between record covers, artworks and music marketing in a distinctive way.'
Here curator of This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, looks at the artists' 30 year collaboration: www.ashmolean.org/article/30-y...
Here curator of This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, looks at the artists' 30 year collaboration: www.ashmolean.org/article/30-y...
November 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
'Together they have pushed and led ad absurdum the boundaries between record covers, artworks and music marketing in a distinctive way.'
Here curator of This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, looks at the artists' 30 year collaboration: www.ashmolean.org/article/30-y...
Here curator of This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke, looks at the artists' 30 year collaboration: www.ashmolean.org/article/30-y...
🕯️ ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November…’
Guy Fawkes is said to have been carrying this iron lantern when he was arrested in the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament on the night of 4–5 November 1605.
See it on display in the Ashmolean Story gallery: www.ashmolean.org/guy-fawkes-l...
Guy Fawkes is said to have been carrying this iron lantern when he was arrested in the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament on the night of 4–5 November 1605.
See it on display in the Ashmolean Story gallery: www.ashmolean.org/guy-fawkes-l...
November 5, 2025 at 12:10 PM
🕯️ ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November…’
Guy Fawkes is said to have been carrying this iron lantern when he was arrested in the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament on the night of 4–5 November 1605.
See it on display in the Ashmolean Story gallery: www.ashmolean.org/guy-fawkes-l...
Guy Fawkes is said to have been carrying this iron lantern when he was arrested in the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament on the night of 4–5 November 1605.
See it on display in the Ashmolean Story gallery: www.ashmolean.org/guy-fawkes-l...
The Sumerian King List is one of the most famous objects in the Museum, and one of the most important records from ancient Mesopotamia.
It lists a succession of cities, their rulers and the length of their reigns from the beginning of time to around 1800 BCE.
It lists a succession of cities, their rulers and the length of their reigns from the beginning of time to around 1800 BCE.
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The Sumerian King List is one of the most famous objects in the Museum, and one of the most important records from ancient Mesopotamia.
It lists a succession of cities, their rulers and the length of their reigns from the beginning of time to around 1800 BCE.
It lists a succession of cities, their rulers and the length of their reigns from the beginning of time to around 1800 BCE.
This autumnal watercolour was painter by Pre-Raphaelite artist Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale.
🍃 Autumn Fields, Condoven, Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1872 - 1945), c. 1897–1926. WA1988.237
🍃 Autumn Fields, Condoven, Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1872 - 1945), c. 1897–1926. WA1988.237
November 2, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This autumnal watercolour was painter by Pre-Raphaelite artist Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale.
🍃 Autumn Fields, Condoven, Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1872 - 1945), c. 1897–1926. WA1988.237
🍃 Autumn Fields, Condoven, Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale (1872 - 1945), c. 1897–1926. WA1988.237
May this ceramic citron brighten your morning!
This sculpture of a citron comes from the workshop of the Della Robbia family in Florence and was made between 1500 and 1520. The Della Robbia family workshop was famous for the tin-glazed terracotta relief sculptures it created.
💛 WA1888.CDEF.S19
This sculpture of a citron comes from the workshop of the Della Robbia family in Florence and was made between 1500 and 1520. The Della Robbia family workshop was famous for the tin-glazed terracotta relief sculptures it created.
💛 WA1888.CDEF.S19
November 1, 2025 at 8:01 AM
May this ceramic citron brighten your morning!
This sculpture of a citron comes from the workshop of the Della Robbia family in Florence and was made between 1500 and 1520. The Della Robbia family workshop was famous for the tin-glazed terracotta relief sculptures it created.
💛 WA1888.CDEF.S19
This sculpture of a citron comes from the workshop of the Della Robbia family in Florence and was made between 1500 and 1520. The Della Robbia family workshop was famous for the tin-glazed terracotta relief sculptures it created.
💛 WA1888.CDEF.S19
Would you believe us if we told you this bat measured just 2.3cm in height?
The inspiration behind today's magical animation by @_t0bbz_ , this object is a beautiful example of an ojime, a Japanese cord fastener.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
The inspiration behind today's magical animation by @_t0bbz_ , this object is a beautiful example of an ojime, a Japanese cord fastener.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
October 31, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Would you believe us if we told you this bat measured just 2.3cm in height?
The inspiration behind today's magical animation by @_t0bbz_ , this object is a beautiful example of an ojime, a Japanese cord fastener.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
The inspiration behind today's magical animation by @_t0bbz_ , this object is a beautiful example of an ojime, a Japanese cord fastener.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
🦇 Happy Halloween! 🦇
This brilliantly spooky take on our student animation project comes from t0bbz (instagram.com/_t0bbz_) and was inspired by a tiny bat-shaped ojime.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
This brilliantly spooky take on our student animation project comes from t0bbz (instagram.com/_t0bbz_) and was inspired by a tiny bat-shaped ojime.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
October 31, 2025 at 4:17 PM
🦇 Happy Halloween! 🦇
This brilliantly spooky take on our student animation project comes from t0bbz (instagram.com/_t0bbz_) and was inspired by a tiny bat-shaped ojime.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
This brilliantly spooky take on our student animation project comes from t0bbz (instagram.com/_t0bbz_) and was inspired by a tiny bat-shaped ojime.
🦇 Ojime bead in the form of a bat, Japan, late 19th century. 2.3cm. EA1956.3749
Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood's 30 year-long artistic collaboration stands at the centre of our current major exhibition.
Together, they have created the artwork for all but the first of Radiohead's albums, as well as Yorke's other projects.
Together, they have created the artwork for all but the first of Radiohead's albums, as well as Yorke's other projects.
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood's 30 year-long artistic collaboration stands at the centre of our current major exhibition.
Together, they have created the artwork for all but the first of Radiohead's albums, as well as Yorke's other projects.
Together, they have created the artwork for all but the first of Radiohead's albums, as well as Yorke's other projects.