Join Natasha on a fascinating journey through the history of European art, from Ancient Greece, through the Renaissance and Impressionism, to Francis Bacon in the 20th century, discovering major highlights of painting, sculpture and art objects along the way. You’ll see masterpieces ranging from Uccello’s famed Hunt in the Forest from the 15th century to Picasso’s Blue Roofs in Paris, painted at the dawn of the 20th century.
The Ashmolean was the first public museum and the first University museum to open in Britain, opening the doors of its first building in Broad Street in 1693 – now Oxford’s Science Museum.
At the Christ Church Picture Gallery, with its collection of mainly Italian Renaissance and Baroque masters, you’ll see such masterpieces as Botticelli’s Sybils and Carracci’s The Butcher’s Shop. There will also be a rare opportunity to see beautiful 15th century drawings on continuous display, by Leonardo da Vinci, and other Renaissance artists.
The art collection at Christ Church, one of Oxford’s most famous colleges and originally founded by Henry VIII in 1546, is unique amongst Oxford and Cambridge colleges. The collection started with General John Guise’s bequest of his extensive art collection, where it arrived in 1765. This extraordinary gift allowed Christ Church to provide students with an education in art, without the need to travel to Italy or to get access to stately homes.
Ashmolean Museum and Christ Church Picture Gallery
• Combined Ashmolean Museum and Christ Church Picture Gallery Tour
Ashmolean Museum Tours
• Grand Tour through the History of European Art, from Ancient Greece to Francis Bacon
• In Focus Ashmolean tours: bespoke tours catering to your interests. Periods are covered from the Renaissance to the 19th century, as well as themes such as portraiture, landscape, still life, religion and mythology in art.
• Exhibition Tours: Anselm Kiefer, Early Works: 14 February to 15 June
• Visits to view works on paper at the Western Art Print Room, including John Ruskin’s bequest of J.M.W. Turner’s watercolours (advance booking required)
Christ Church Picture Gallery Tour
• In Depth tour of Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings and drawings, including Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci
Pre-Raphaelite Tours
• Pre-Raphaelite tours, including a visit to the Ashmolean, Keble College for William Holman Hunt’s painting Light of the World, Exeter College for The Adoration of the Magitapestry by Edward Burne-Jones, and Christ Church Cathedral for Burne-Jones’ stained glass window.
Blenheim Palace Tours, Woodstock
• Art focused tours of the palatial home of the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace of Winston Churchill, a talented amateur artist himself. There will be an exciting opportunity to visit the Marlboroughs’ newly opened private apartments, containing the celebrated George Stubbs’ Tigress. You’ll also see such famous highlights as John Singer Sargent’s portrait of Consuelo Vanderbilt.
Group sizes are limited to 5, to ensure maximum enjoyment and interaction within groups.
The cost of a private tour will start from £160 per group, depending on length of tour, usually 3 hours. Tours including a half hour coffee break at the Rooftop restaurant and café, Ashmolean.
E mail: info@oxfordarttours.com
Phone: Natasha Broad on 07931 702856
Or go to website: www.oxfordarttours.com
