Oxford Art Trip
Oxford Art Trip
The trip, despite featuring little relating to the cosmos, was an altogether successful experience. Personally, I was introduced to new ways to explore and link works of art together. I also expanded my vision of art, viewing not only the piece, but the story and motive behind it.
The first museum; 'Pitt Rivers', seemed rather unorganised and appeared as a random assortment of historical artifacts. The museum was organised by the type of artifact, such as exhibits of clothing. This did not work for me, as I felt the age of artifacts were jumbled. The museum featured little relating to the cosmos, until I viewed the main museum across the hallway which featured large exhibits, partnered with information. Notable exhibits were on bacteria, fossils and the composition of Earth. This directly related to the cosmos, featuring asteroids and rocks contributing to the Earth's structure.
The 'Ashmolean' museum was arranged much better in my opinion. It was erected in 1683 to house The University Of Oxford's collection of artifacts, donated by Elias Ashmolean in 1677. It exhibited works from throughout history, such as Egyptian art and sculptures, Renaissance art, and also artifacts from The Crusades. The museum was well organised, with rooms dedicated to periods and styles of art. It also featured, to my taste, a room filled with Pre-Raphaelite art. Although this does not relate directly to the cosmos, it was incredible to see the original paintings of those I have studied so deeply.
The museum overall had few links to the cosmos, however featured sculptures and paintings with imagery which can be seen to link with our theme. An exhibition entitled 'Spellbound' was exclusively shown within the museum, however required payment for viewing, I therefore chose not to view it. The exhibit showed the history of magic, which can be linked to the cosmos due to the theme of the unknown.
Native American mask
1836
Pitt Rivers
Bacteria
Pitt Rivers
Bacteria
Pitt Rivers
I photographed this mainly due to the reflection of the ceiling. The glass block also refracted due to the direction of light, creating a line of colour.
Mirrored rock
Pitt Rivers
Quartz
Pitt Rivers
Sulphur
Pitt Rivers
The rocks are affected by various chemicals, giving them coloured tints
Close up of Mirrored rock
Pitt Rivers
Calcite
Pitt Rivers
Snake
Pitt Rivers
Religious Art
16th Century
Ashmolean
Stolen during a crusade in the Middle East
The Virgin Mary
16th Century
Ashmolean
Painting depicting The Virgin Mary and Christ. Stolen during a crusade
Proserpine
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
1874
The painting is housed in the 'Ashmolean' museum. It is dated as 1874, however seems to be an earlier version. Rossetti produced six identical paintings of model Jane Morris, however changed hair colour on each of the paintings.
The painting features use of pencil lines and chalk, materials not used on the other paintings. This indicates it may be the original version of the image. The painting depicts 'Proserpine', a goddess trapped in the underworld. If she resisted to eat the fruit, she could return to her husband on Earth. The image shows Proserpine eating a pomegranate.
John Everett Millais
A Converted British Family Sheltering a Christian Missionary from the Persecution of the Druids
William Holman Hunt
1850
The trip, despite featuring little relating to the cosmos, was an altogether successful experience. Personally, I was introduced to new ways to explore and link works of art together. I also expanded my vision of art, viewing not only the piece, but the story and motive behind it.
The first museum; 'Pitt Rivers', seemed rather unorganised and appeared as a random assortment of historical artifacts. The museum was organised by the type of artifact, such as exhibits of clothing. This did not work for me, as I felt the age of artifacts were jumbled. The museum featured little relating to the cosmos, until I viewed the main museum across the hallway which featured large exhibits, partnered with information. Notable exhibits were on bacteria, fossils and the composition of Earth. This directly related to the cosmos, featuring asteroids and rocks contributing to the Earth's structure.
The 'Ashmolean' museum was arranged much better in my opinion. It was erected in 1683 to house The University Of Oxford's collection of artifacts, donated by Elias Ashmolean in 1677. It exhibited works from throughout history, such as Egyptian art and sculptures, Renaissance art, and also artifacts from The Crusades. The museum was well organised, with rooms dedicated to periods and styles of art. It also featured, to my taste, a room filled with Pre-Raphaelite art. Although this does not relate directly to the cosmos, it was incredible to see the original paintings of those I have studied so deeply.
The museum overall had few links to the cosmos, however featured sculptures and paintings with imagery which can be seen to link with our theme. An exhibition entitled 'Spellbound' was exclusively shown within the museum, however required payment for viewing, I therefore chose not to view it. The exhibit showed the history of magic, which can be linked to the cosmos due to the theme of the unknown.
1836
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
I photographed this mainly due to the reflection of the ceiling. The glass block also refracted due to the direction of light, creating a line of colour.
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
The rocks are affected by various chemicals, giving them coloured tints
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
Pitt Rivers
16th Century
Ashmolean
Stolen during a crusade in the Middle East
The Virgin Mary
16th Century
Ashmolean
Painting depicting The Virgin Mary and Christ. Stolen during a crusade
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
1874
The painting is housed in the 'Ashmolean' museum. It is dated as 1874, however seems to be an earlier version. Rossetti produced six identical paintings of model Jane Morris, however changed hair colour on each of the paintings.
The painting features use of pencil lines and chalk, materials not used on the other paintings. This indicates it may be the original version of the image. The painting depicts 'Proserpine', a goddess trapped in the underworld. If she resisted to eat the fruit, she could return to her husband on Earth. The image shows Proserpine eating a pomegranate.
William Holman Hunt
1850
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