MODERN ART

The paintings and sculptures in this gallery give a taste of the diversity of 20th-century art: from expressive paintings of human figures, to abstracted still lifes, to entirely abstract compositions of colours and forms.

Since 1900, European artists have challenged the idea that creating ‘realistic’, figurative art was the ultimate achievement. Through a series of radical art movements, they redefined the concept of art, and introduced new materials and techniques. Featured artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Barbara Hepworth, and Pablo Picasso all pushed artistic boundaries in different ways, and drew inspiration from philosophy, psychology, literature, music, and traditions beyond Europe and North America.

Modern and contemporary ceramics, and silver work, are displayed in the corridor outside the gallery.

IN FOCUS

The IN FOCUS series in this gallery presents special loans and works from the Ashmolean’s collections for short periods of time. Through the rotation of works the display aims to remain exciting also for regular visitors.

Currently, there are two Terra Foundation artworks on show: 'Torso in Space' by Alexander Archipenko and 'Night Nude' by Milton Avery. In the central space of the gallery, you'll also discover a small bronze sculpture 'Fragment Figure' by Henry Moore, another recent, temporary In Focus addition to the gallery.

About the Terra Foundation

In 2022, the Terra Foundation for American Art made an extraordinarily generous, four-year loan to the Ashmolean of 37 important American prints of the late-19th and 20th centuries. 

The loan, part of the Terra Collection-in-Residence programme, complements the Museum’s existing holdings of American art and has led to new university teaching and research. The two prints currently on display were recently the subject of research by two undergraduate interns Elizabeth Tiskina and Isobel Paxton.

 

PLAN YOUR VISIT

 

FLOOR PLAN PDF   ACCESSIBILITY