So this week has been a wild dash to finish with our first set of classes! The western group, including myself, has had two papers, a project (see last post) and a final exam in the past 48 hours! It has been hectic, but I stayed pretty much on top of it and survived! Today I turned in my history paper on the Lollard (a work of pure genius...yeah right) and took our art history final. It was a little intimidating, with 10 slides and 3 minutes to look at each one and then two essays, but I'm still here! We'll see how I do.
After work was done for the day, Alex and I took our assignment sheet from Sally and headed over to explore the famous Ashmolean museum, Oxford's most important art and artefacts collection. The facilities have been recently renovated and it is a really spiffy place. As Alex put it: "I don't feel like i'm going to suffocate in history" It is very light and airy with many levels and highly organized galleries. The best gallery--in my opinion--was the English Art from 400-1500, which had a work I have been anticipating seeing for about a year: The Alfred Jewel! My other favorite thing was a case full of artifacts and art works associated with the cult of Thomas Becket, including a
champleve enameled reliquary and the little medals the pilgrims would have bought upon arrival in Canterbury.
Alfred Jewel
Becket Stuff
Some really neat English craftsmanship (carvings, enamels, etc)
Downstairs in the museum I got really excited because I thought the famous probably-fake mycenaen Mask of Agamemnon was there but then I went home and found out it was a copy! I was skeptical because there is no reason for it to be in Oxford but the plaque was totally deceptive and made it seem like the real fake Mask... so this was the fake fake mask of Agamemnon. Also mummies.
After the museum Alex and I went shopping and I ate a delicious nutella crepe. I also bought a book at Blackwell's for way too much money but I really wanted it so there! It is about art....
Finally, I thought this post would be a good time to talk about Formal Dinners! Every Thursday we all dress us and have an Oxford Formal Dinner with High Table. Different students sit with the faculty at the High Table each week with a table cloth and silver and fancy wine and seating chart. Sally says the traditional latin prayer and then we eat fancy food (tonight was rainbow trout, duck, and pavolove (sp?)) last week we had guinea foul and the week before that was steak. It is really great fun and the wine flows pretty freely haha... Tonight I borrowed a really pretty blue dress from Emily but as of yet have no pictures--hopefully will come later!
In the meantime, DUBLIN TOMORROW!!
The "mask of Agamemnon" is in Athens! It's gorgeous, but I didn't cry. Drink ALL the wine! I can't wait until we are on the same continent!
ReplyDeleteYou saw some really cool things at the Ashmolean! I'm so glad you provided pictures. That Alfred jewei is SO old.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid that last picture was of your trout and I was going, "Yewwwwww." Then I realized it was the nutella crepe. Yum!