This major exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum explores the global journey of plants and flowers. Discover over 100 botanical artworks, rare prints, and historical objects that reveal how horticulture and trade shaped our modern world. Trace the fascinating stories behind beloved blooms and reflect on our evolving relationship with the natural environment.
Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
This exhibition explores the global history of plants and flowers, uncovering the stories of exploration, knowledge, and trade that shaped our modern world. Featuring over 100 artworks, objects, and rare botanical prints, the display examines how our relationship with the natural world has evolved through centuries of botanical discovery.
In Bloom takes visitors on a journey from Oxford to the far corners of the globe, revealing the fascinating histories of popular flowers like roses, tulips, camellias, and peonies. The exhibition highlights how the curiosity of early plant explorers and the establishment of complex global trade networks transformed landscapes, economies, and cultural practices. By showcasing a diverse collection of drawings, paintings, rare prints, and ceramics, the exhibition invites reflection on how these historical pursuits continue to shape our contemporary environment. As the first Ashmolean exhibition to integrate sustainability considerations from conception through to delivery, the project also serves as a model for modern museum practice. Visitors will encounter works by significant artists and botanical figures, exploring the intersections of art, science, and the environment. Through these rich narratives, the exhibition provides a comprehensive view of how plant collecting and botanical art have permanently altered the world we inhabit today.
Timed tickets are available and advance booking is recommended to guarantee entry. Standard tickets are £16.20 or £18.00 with Gift Aid, with various concessions and free entry for Members and Patrons. Booking can be completed through the Ashmolean website, and an audio guide narrated by Arit Anderson is available for purchase to enhance the visit.
Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at Ashmolean Museum in Oxford
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