MODERN ART GALLERY

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, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso pushed artistic boundaries in many ways, taking 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 as well as the IN FOCUS series.

Please note no photography is allowed in the gallery.

IN FOCUS

Currently, two Terra Foundation artworks are on show to highlight the art of printmaking through the work of two great women artists. In the central space of the gallery, you'll discover a small bronze sculpture 'Fragment Figure' by Henry Moore, another temporary display.

Outside the gallery, by the Chantrey Wall staircase, there are four prints and drawings by Danish-British artist Peter Hedegaard, exploring colour and composition.

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.

 

PLAN YOUR VISIT

 

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