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
🖼️ Gates of a Villa in Italy, c.1909, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925). Watercolour on paper, 35.4 x 49.5 cm. WA1951.138
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
🖼️ Gates of a Villa in Italy, c.1909, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925). Watercolour on paper, 35.4 x 49.5 cm. WA1951.138
John Singer Sargent was born on this day in 1856.
Sargent's output as a portrait painter was impressive, but he also produced a large number of landscapes on his travels in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland.
Sargent's output as a portrait painter was impressive, but he also produced a large number of landscapes on his travels in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland.
January 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
John Singer Sargent was born on this day in 1856.
Sargent's output as a portrait painter was impressive, but he also produced a large number of landscapes on his travels in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland.
Sargent's output as a portrait painter was impressive, but he also produced a large number of landscapes on his travels in Spain, Italy, and Switzerland.
📣 Last chance to see This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke – this exhibition closes 18 January 📣
Don't miss this unique opportunity to look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
January 8, 2026 at 6:15 PM
📣 Last chance to see This Is What You Get: Stanley Donwood, Radiohead, Thom Yorke – this exhibition closes 18 January 📣
Don't miss this unique opportunity to look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to look at the creative forces behind some of the most important and influential music of the past few decades.
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born on this day in 1836.
During a visit to Rome from December 1875 to April 1876, Alma-Tadema collected material for future paintings. He made three studies of parts of the city, including this one in the gardens of the Villa Borghese.
🍃 Detail from WA1966.13.1
During a visit to Rome from December 1875 to April 1876, Alma-Tadema collected material for future paintings. He made three studies of parts of the city, including this one in the gardens of the Villa Borghese.
🍃 Detail from WA1966.13.1
January 8, 2026 at 8:01 AM
Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema was born on this day in 1836.
During a visit to Rome from December 1875 to April 1876, Alma-Tadema collected material for future paintings. He made three studies of parts of the city, including this one in the gardens of the Villa Borghese.
🍃 Detail from WA1966.13.1
During a visit to Rome from December 1875 to April 1876, Alma-Tadema collected material for future paintings. He made three studies of parts of the city, including this one in the gardens of the Villa Borghese.
🍃 Detail from WA1966.13.1
He married Hiroshige's daughter Otatsu and inherited the name Hiroshige II following his master's death in 1858.
In 1865 his marriage ended and he moved to Yokohama and began working under different names.
❄️ Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill, 1862, Utagawa Hiroshige II (1826–1869). EAX.4421
January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
He married Hiroshige's daughter Otatsu and inherited the name Hiroshige II following his master's death in 1858.
In 1865 his marriage ended and he moved to Yokohama and began working under different names.
❄️ Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill, 1862, Utagawa Hiroshige II (1826–1869). EAX.4421
This wintery scene of Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill is by Japanese print designer Utagawa Hiroshige II.
Hiroshige II was one of the most successful students of the great print artist Hiroshige I. He continued the landscape style pioneered by his master, creating many series of landscape prints.
Hiroshige II was one of the most successful students of the great print artist Hiroshige I. He continued the landscape style pioneered by his master, creating many series of landscape prints.
January 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
This wintery scene of Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill is by Japanese print designer Utagawa Hiroshige II.
Hiroshige II was one of the most successful students of the great print artist Hiroshige I. He continued the landscape style pioneered by his master, creating many series of landscape prints.
Hiroshige II was one of the most successful students of the great print artist Hiroshige I. He continued the landscape style pioneered by his master, creating many series of landscape prints.
John R R Tolkien was born on this day in 1892.
Tolkien, the author of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', was a student and eventually a professor at University of Oxford. Back in 1977, the Ashmolean hosted an exhibition of his drawings.
Tolkien, the author of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', was a student and eventually a professor at University of Oxford. Back in 1977, the Ashmolean hosted an exhibition of his drawings.
January 3, 2026 at 9:36 AM
John R R Tolkien was born on this day in 1892.
Tolkien, the author of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', was a student and eventually a professor at University of Oxford. Back in 1977, the Ashmolean hosted an exhibition of his drawings.
Tolkien, the author of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings', was a student and eventually a professor at University of Oxford. Back in 1977, the Ashmolean hosted an exhibition of his drawings.
Take a closer look at the artwork that inspired the animation...
This print, 'A Drinking Party', forms part of a series titled 'A Set of Goldfish series' by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to 1839–1842.
🌟A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
This print, 'A Drinking Party', forms part of a series titled 'A Set of Goldfish series' by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to 1839–1842.
🌟A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
January 1, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Take a closer look at the artwork that inspired the animation...
This print, 'A Drinking Party', forms part of a series titled 'A Set of Goldfish series' by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to 1839–1842.
🌟A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
This print, 'A Drinking Party', forms part of a series titled 'A Set of Goldfish series' by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and dates to 1839–1842.
🌟A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
Happy New Year to you! ✨
We hope this magical animation by Matilde Senos fills your day with joy!
The Museum is closed today but will be reopening from tomorrow - we can't wait to welcome you then.
⭐️ A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
We hope this magical animation by Matilde Senos fills your day with joy!
The Museum is closed today but will be reopening from tomorrow - we can't wait to welcome you then.
⭐️ A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
January 1, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Happy New Year to you! ✨
We hope this magical animation by Matilde Senos fills your day with joy!
The Museum is closed today but will be reopening from tomorrow - we can't wait to welcome you then.
⭐️ A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
We hope this magical animation by Matilde Senos fills your day with joy!
The Museum is closed today but will be reopening from tomorrow - we can't wait to welcome you then.
⭐️ A Drinking Party, part of A Set of Goldfish series by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861). EA1971.157
Happy New Year's Eve 🎆🎇🎆🎇
This woodblock print showing fireworks at Ryōgoku bridge was created by Utagawa Hiroshige I in 1858. It features as part of the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series.
We'll be closing our doors tomorrow, 1 January 2026, and will be reopening on 2 January.
🎆 EAX.4365
This woodblock print showing fireworks at Ryōgoku bridge was created by Utagawa Hiroshige I in 1858. It features as part of the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series.
We'll be closing our doors tomorrow, 1 January 2026, and will be reopening on 2 January.
🎆 EAX.4365
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Happy New Year's Eve 🎆🎇🎆🎇
This woodblock print showing fireworks at Ryōgoku bridge was created by Utagawa Hiroshige I in 1858. It features as part of the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series.
We'll be closing our doors tomorrow, 1 January 2026, and will be reopening on 2 January.
🎆 EAX.4365
This woodblock print showing fireworks at Ryōgoku bridge was created by Utagawa Hiroshige I in 1858. It features as part of the One Hundred Famous Views of Edo series.
We'll be closing our doors tomorrow, 1 January 2026, and will be reopening on 2 January.
🎆 EAX.4365
A look at the original work that inspired today's animation 🔍
These studies of a sleepy, restful hound, captured for a portrait of this dog, are by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
These studies of a sleepy, restful hound, captured for a portrait of this dog, are by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
December 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
A look at the original work that inspired today's animation 🔍
These studies of a sleepy, restful hound, captured for a portrait of this dog, are by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
These studies of a sleepy, restful hound, captured for a portrait of this dog, are by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, son of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and elder brother of Lorenzo Baldissera Tiepolo.
We hope you are all resting and relaxing like this perfect pooch.
This charming animation was created by Will Lang and inspired by an 18th century study of a dog produced by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo.
🐶 Studies of a dog, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727 - 1804). WA1937.223
This charming animation was created by Will Lang and inspired by an 18th century study of a dog produced by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo.
🐶 Studies of a dog, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727 - 1804). WA1937.223
December 28, 2025 at 8:21 AM
We hope you are all resting and relaxing like this perfect pooch.
This charming animation was created by Will Lang and inspired by an 18th century study of a dog produced by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo.
🐶 Studies of a dog, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727 - 1804). WA1937.223
This charming animation was created by Will Lang and inspired by an 18th century study of a dog produced by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo.
🐶 Studies of a dog, Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1727 - 1804). WA1937.223
Christmas leftovers, 17th-century edition.
See this relatable Dutch still life on display in Gallery 48.
🍖🍺 Still Life with a Ham, 1642, by Pieter Claesz (c. 1597–1660). Oil on panel, 42 x 34 cm. WA1940.2.19
See this relatable Dutch still life on display in Gallery 48.
🍖🍺 Still Life with a Ham, 1642, by Pieter Claesz (c. 1597–1660). Oil on panel, 42 x 34 cm. WA1940.2.19
December 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Christmas leftovers, 17th-century edition.
See this relatable Dutch still life on display in Gallery 48.
🍖🍺 Still Life with a Ham, 1642, by Pieter Claesz (c. 1597–1660). Oil on panel, 42 x 34 cm. WA1940.2.19
See this relatable Dutch still life on display in Gallery 48.
🍖🍺 Still Life with a Ham, 1642, by Pieter Claesz (c. 1597–1660). Oil on panel, 42 x 34 cm. WA1940.2.19
Happy Boxing Day!
Today we bring you this from a Museum accounts book, showing an employee was fined for being particularly merry on both 25 and 26 December, 1704.
A fine of one shilling was issued for, yes, you read that right, "coming home dead drunk both nights and neglect of lighting candle"
Today we bring you this from a Museum accounts book, showing an employee was fined for being particularly merry on both 25 and 26 December, 1704.
A fine of one shilling was issued for, yes, you read that right, "coming home dead drunk both nights and neglect of lighting candle"
December 26, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Happy Boxing Day!
Today we bring you this from a Museum accounts book, showing an employee was fined for being particularly merry on both 25 and 26 December, 1704.
A fine of one shilling was issued for, yes, you read that right, "coming home dead drunk both nights and neglect of lighting candle"
Today we bring you this from a Museum accounts book, showing an employee was fined for being particularly merry on both 25 and 26 December, 1704.
A fine of one shilling was issued for, yes, you read that right, "coming home dead drunk both nights and neglect of lighting candle"
This particular coin is called a teston, a very common denomination. The word teston means ‘large head’, named after the large ruler heads usually found on coins. However, papal coins like this one normally bear the reigning pope’s coat of arms.
Modern coin, 1572–1585. HCR46975
Modern coin, 1572–1585. HCR46975
December 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
This particular coin is called a teston, a very common denomination. The word teston means ‘large head’, named after the large ruler heads usually found on coins. However, papal coins like this one normally bear the reigning pope’s coat of arms.
Modern coin, 1572–1585. HCR46975
Modern coin, 1572–1585. HCR46975
✨ Happy Christmas to everyone celebrating! ✨
For the final day of our #AshmoleanAdvent calendar we're sharing this silver coin which features a nativity scene.
The coin was produced in Rome under the named pope Gregory XIII in the late 16th-century.
For the final day of our #AshmoleanAdvent calendar we're sharing this silver coin which features a nativity scene.
The coin was produced in Rome under the named pope Gregory XIII in the late 16th-century.
December 25, 2025 at 8:01 AM
✨ Happy Christmas to everyone celebrating! ✨
For the final day of our #AshmoleanAdvent calendar we're sharing this silver coin which features a nativity scene.
The coin was produced in Rome under the named pope Gregory XIII in the late 16th-century.
For the final day of our #AshmoleanAdvent calendar we're sharing this silver coin which features a nativity scene.
The coin was produced in Rome under the named pope Gregory XIII in the late 16th-century.
The word cashmere is an anglicisation of Kashmir. A luxury product traded from India to Europe, the Kashmir shawl was a fashionable item of clothing in the late 1700s and early 1800s in Europe.
🧥 Victorian surcoat made of Kashmir shawl pieces, mid-19th century, India. EA2000.39
🧥 Victorian surcoat made of Kashmir shawl pieces, mid-19th century, India. EA2000.39
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The word cashmere is an anglicisation of Kashmir. A luxury product traded from India to Europe, the Kashmir shawl was a fashionable item of clothing in the late 1700s and early 1800s in Europe.
🧥 Victorian surcoat made of Kashmir shawl pieces, mid-19th century, India. EA2000.39
🧥 Victorian surcoat made of Kashmir shawl pieces, mid-19th century, India. EA2000.39
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 24: Winter Coat
Woven from the fleece of a Himalayan mountain goat, Kashmir shawls were famous for their lightness, softness and warmth.
Woven from the fleece of a Himalayan mountain goat, Kashmir shawls were famous for their lightness, softness and warmth.
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 24: Winter Coat
Woven from the fleece of a Himalayan mountain goat, Kashmir shawls were famous for their lightness, softness and warmth.
Woven from the fleece of a Himalayan mountain goat, Kashmir shawls were famous for their lightness, softness and warmth.
🎄 The festive break has now begun for our galleries 🎄
Over the Christmas and New Year period the Museum will be closed 24–26 December and on 1 January. We will be open as usual on all other days, 10am–5pm.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum soon!
💫 Illustration by Kate Baylay
Over the Christmas and New Year period the Museum will be closed 24–26 December and on 1 January. We will be open as usual on all other days, 10am–5pm.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum soon!
💫 Illustration by Kate Baylay
December 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🎄 The festive break has now begun for our galleries 🎄
Over the Christmas and New Year period the Museum will be closed 24–26 December and on 1 January. We will be open as usual on all other days, 10am–5pm.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum soon!
💫 Illustration by Kate Baylay
Over the Christmas and New Year period the Museum will be closed 24–26 December and on 1 January. We will be open as usual on all other days, 10am–5pm.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the Museum soon!
💫 Illustration by Kate Baylay
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 23: Winged Nike
For today’s Ashmolean Advent treat we have a winged Nike, holding a ribbon in her hand, flying across a wine jug towards a tripod, a symbol of victory.
🪽Attic red-figure pottery jug, 450–430 BCE, by The Calliope Painter. AN1896-1908.G.280
For today’s Ashmolean Advent treat we have a winged Nike, holding a ribbon in her hand, flying across a wine jug towards a tripod, a symbol of victory.
🪽Attic red-figure pottery jug, 450–430 BCE, by The Calliope Painter. AN1896-1908.G.280
December 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 23: Winged Nike
For today’s Ashmolean Advent treat we have a winged Nike, holding a ribbon in her hand, flying across a wine jug towards a tripod, a symbol of victory.
🪽Attic red-figure pottery jug, 450–430 BCE, by The Calliope Painter. AN1896-1908.G.280
For today’s Ashmolean Advent treat we have a winged Nike, holding a ribbon in her hand, flying across a wine jug towards a tripod, a symbol of victory.
🪽Attic red-figure pottery jug, 450–430 BCE, by The Calliope Painter. AN1896-1908.G.280
They have also been used to protect against infection or eliminate bad smells. Sometimes they were made with several sections, like the pomander shown in the second image, so the owner could make their own bespoke perfume combining various ingredients.
🎄 WA2013.1.306.25
🎄 WA2013.1.28.2
🎄 WA2013.1.306.25
🎄 WA2013.1.28.2
December 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
They have also been used to protect against infection or eliminate bad smells. Sometimes they were made with several sections, like the pomander shown in the second image, so the owner could make their own bespoke perfume combining various ingredients.
🎄 WA2013.1.306.25
🎄 WA2013.1.28.2
🎄 WA2013.1.306.25
🎄 WA2013.1.28.2
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 22: Pomander
These tiny decorative baubles are actually pomanders, designed to carry perfume, but the resemblance to the classic Christmas decoration is uncanny.
A pomander would have contained perfumes such as ambergris, musk or civit, and would have been worn or carried.
These tiny decorative baubles are actually pomanders, designed to carry perfume, but the resemblance to the classic Christmas decoration is uncanny.
A pomander would have contained perfumes such as ambergris, musk or civit, and would have been worn or carried.
December 22, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 22: Pomander
These tiny decorative baubles are actually pomanders, designed to carry perfume, but the resemblance to the classic Christmas decoration is uncanny.
A pomander would have contained perfumes such as ambergris, musk or civit, and would have been worn or carried.
These tiny decorative baubles are actually pomanders, designed to carry perfume, but the resemblance to the classic Christmas decoration is uncanny.
A pomander would have contained perfumes such as ambergris, musk or civit, and would have been worn or carried.
Stone structures were rare in Edo, a city of frequent earthquakes. Overlooking the bridge is the Yūhi or ‘Sunset’ Hill of the print title.
❄️ Yūhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro, 1857, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Woodblock print with bokashi (tonal gradation), EAX.4368
❄️ Yūhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro, 1857, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Woodblock print with bokashi (tonal gradation), EAX.4368
December 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Stone structures were rare in Edo, a city of frequent earthquakes. Overlooking the bridge is the Yūhi or ‘Sunset’ Hill of the print title.
❄️ Yūhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro, 1857, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Woodblock print with bokashi (tonal gradation), EAX.4368
❄️ Yūhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro, 1857, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), Woodblock print with bokashi (tonal gradation), EAX.4368
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 21: Snowy Bridge
Today’s advent calendar treat is a woodblock print titled Yuhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro by Japanese master printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige.
The unusual arched bridge in this wintry landscape was known as a ‘drum bridge’ because of its shape.
Today’s advent calendar treat is a woodblock print titled Yuhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro by Japanese master printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige.
The unusual arched bridge in this wintry landscape was known as a ‘drum bridge’ because of its shape.
December 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#AshmoleanAdvent Day 21: Snowy Bridge
Today’s advent calendar treat is a woodblock print titled Yuhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro by Japanese master printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige.
The unusual arched bridge in this wintry landscape was known as a ‘drum bridge’ because of its shape.
Today’s advent calendar treat is a woodblock print titled Yuhi Hill and Drum Bridge at Meguro by Japanese master printmaker Utagawa Hiroshige.
The unusual arched bridge in this wintry landscape was known as a ‘drum bridge’ because of its shape.
On Burges’s suggestion Marks decorated a section near the base of the cabinet with figures from Greek mythology, including a concert of the Pierides.
In Greek mythology the Pierides were the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia who lived in Macedonia, north of Greece.
🎵 🎵 WA1933.26
In Greek mythology the Pierides were the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia who lived in Macedonia, north of Greece.
🎵 🎵 WA1933.26
December 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
On Burges’s suggestion Marks decorated a section near the base of the cabinet with figures from Greek mythology, including a concert of the Pierides.
In Greek mythology the Pierides were the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia who lived in Macedonia, north of Greece.
🎵 🎵 WA1933.26
In Greek mythology the Pierides were the nine daughters of King Pieros of Emathia who lived in Macedonia, north of Greece.
🎵 🎵 WA1933.26