DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21832#0024
Fig. i. University Galleries and Taylorian Institute.
Engraving by Orlando Jewitt (1799 -1969)
m^filllHlll
Milena Melfi
Old meets New: the Oxford University collection of casts
from the antique and the new Ashmolean Museum
Jlris paper explores the degree of innovation brought about by the adoption of a new
display strategy on the occasion of the refurbishment of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.
The aim is that of understanding which role can be played by casts from the antique
in a completely rejuvenated museum environment and whether facsimiles of ancient
sculpture have maintained or transformed their image in the viewer's perspective from
the late 19"' century onwards.
S'?
Slip
The Ashmolean Museum, founded on 21st May 1683, was merged
with the University Galleries and established as a museum of art
and archaeology only in 1908. Its collections were housed in the
splendid neoclassical building designed by Francis CockerelL
where the University's works of art had been kept since 1845
(fig. 1). It was Arthur Evans' inspiration to combine art and
archaeology in the same building in order to compare arts
of different cultures in the same space, and his vision was shared
by successive keepers throughout the 20th century. In successive
years the collections were increased and new extensions were
added to the original neoclassical structure. A Cast Gallery
where copies of ancient sculptures could be kept separate from
the original objects was built in the 1960s.
A new building was commissioned to the celebrated architect
Rick Mather following an international competition in 2001
(fig. 2). The challenge was that of changing the way the col-
lections were traditionally displayed within a new architec-
tural form, while at the same time maintaining the character
of the Ashmolean as a University Museum. The Ashmolean
collections, as part of the University collections, are in fact used
for study, teaching and research, as well as for public display.
The combination of scholarship and service to the public gives
the Museum its special character.
23
Engraving by Orlando Jewitt (1799 -1969)
m^filllHlll
Milena Melfi
Old meets New: the Oxford University collection of casts
from the antique and the new Ashmolean Museum
Jlris paper explores the degree of innovation brought about by the adoption of a new
display strategy on the occasion of the refurbishment of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.
The aim is that of understanding which role can be played by casts from the antique
in a completely rejuvenated museum environment and whether facsimiles of ancient
sculpture have maintained or transformed their image in the viewer's perspective from
the late 19"' century onwards.
S'?
Slip
The Ashmolean Museum, founded on 21st May 1683, was merged
with the University Galleries and established as a museum of art
and archaeology only in 1908. Its collections were housed in the
splendid neoclassical building designed by Francis CockerelL
where the University's works of art had been kept since 1845
(fig. 1). It was Arthur Evans' inspiration to combine art and
archaeology in the same building in order to compare arts
of different cultures in the same space, and his vision was shared
by successive keepers throughout the 20th century. In successive
years the collections were increased and new extensions were
added to the original neoclassical structure. A Cast Gallery
where copies of ancient sculptures could be kept separate from
the original objects was built in the 1960s.
A new building was commissioned to the celebrated architect
Rick Mather following an international competition in 2001
(fig. 2). The challenge was that of changing the way the col-
lections were traditionally displayed within a new architec-
tural form, while at the same time maintaining the character
of the Ashmolean as a University Museum. The Ashmolean
collections, as part of the University collections, are in fact used
for study, teaching and research, as well as for public display.
The combination of scholarship and service to the public gives
the Museum its special character.
23