by London: British Museum
The day after the art-filled visit with Natalie, and feeling a bit more confident with the transit system, my husband and I ventured out on our own on the double-decker bus. We sat up on top, front row and enjoyed the street scenes and variety of architecture. We had a map book and tried to follow the route, something that I like doing in new places, perhaps it gives me a sense of grounding and direction.
So we found our way to the British Museum. What a huge and impressive piece of classical architecture with its Greek columns and immense courtyard full of crowds of mostly students. Inside the glass-covered inner Great Court was a wonderful and bright and airy space.
We knew that it would be impossible to see everything so we tried to choose areas that were less known to us. The first thing we came upon with a bit of a feeling of surprise was the Rosetta Stone (above left). Covered in reflective glass and surrounded by masses of people all trying to take photos, it was hard to get a good image. (Here’s a reasonably good one).
Nearby was the Egyptian hall with its immense pillars and sculptures, like the one above right, some with hieroglyphics. Beyond were the Assyrian friezes or stone panels that I loved the most of what we did see, some favourites are shown in the photos below.
We visited the North-American native room and the Mexican one (with a photo below), rather small collections in comparison. We really enjoyed the Armenian, early-Turkish and Mesopotamian collections. Much as we wanted to see more of other cultures, by then we were tired and dazed and found ourselves just walking more quickly through some rooms, just skimming immense collections of precious objects in glass cases on our way to the exit.
Unfortunately, the card in our camera was full too quickly and I was very upset not to get more photos! We’d forgotten to erase photos from back home, plus new ones from our first three days. A lesson learned – we downloaded them at the end of each day after that, as well as recharging the batteries. I had hoped to get back to the Museum again but we ran out of time and energy. Another year hopefully.
What is it about museums of civilization, history, archaeology and antiquities that interest me almost more than art museums? Really, what we saw was art, VERY old art. Archaeology and art are very close, I think, and therein lie my passions.
Entry to the British Museum is free, except for the temporary traveling exhibitions and that to me is a model I wish we had in Canada. Of course, the museum has an immense collection that’s been donated by wealthy collectors since the mid 18th century, often from the spoils of war and empire building, something that kept niggling at the back of my mind even as I admired all of it.
By the way, I recently learned that the Royal BC Museum in Victoria is presenting the North American premiere of Treasures: The World’s Cultures from the British Museum, May 1st until September 30th. How cool is that?!
June 5, 2009 in Rock Art & Archaeology, Travel by Marja-Leena
Wow, Marja-Leena, that must have been one heck of a great trip. I think I could spend the rest of my life in museums. I’m glad you’re home safely, and thank you so much for all these great images… probably as close as I’ll come to the British Museum.
Though, I did get to enjoy the UBC Anthropology Museum many moons ago, and it’s still etched in my memory.
99, I’m glad you enjoyed this. I’ve not travelled as much as many have but I’ve been to a few special museums. The UBC Anthropology Museum ranks up there with the top ones, imho, and I’m lucky it’s right here!
I love the Vancouver museums.
Years ago I took my daughter to see the mummies at the British Museum. That was what she wanted to see. She was seven.
And yes, it is an overwhelming museum.
Hattie, mummies for a seven-year old… wow! I remember the ones in the Vatican Museum… now that was an amazing place!
The BM is quite a place. The relatively new Great Court is spectacular and the contents can be, as you say, overwhelming. Like you, my husband and I tend to study the guidebooks beforehand and decide on a specific theme to view. Crowds can just spoil an experience otherwise. So many people seem intent on photographing objects without pausing to look at them at all, and I’m afraid that I resent that rather – especially when they have themselves photographed in front of something that they do not look at at all other than to ascertain that it is famous! (Sorry, a bit of a rant there.)
But at least in the BM there are quiet nooks and crannies, and everywhere has a wealth of fascinating objects. And it is always good to have more to come back to see. I think the worst kind of museum would be one that could be completely ‘done’ in one visit!
Oh, this brings back fond memories of my trips to the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt (a Natural History Museum). But you know how I feel about ancient history … the British Museum is on my list of must-visits!
this brings back happy memories of wandering around the various museums of London. Did you visit the Victoria and Albert museum? it is well worth it…
Olga, we should have checked some guides beforehand, but our self-guided tour turned out well anyway, but next time if there is one, we shall do that. I know just what you are saying about the crowds and photographers – we experienced that in many places, so annoying!
Rouchswalwe, I haven’t been to that one in Frankfurt. I do want to go back to the British Museum.
Rosie, no we didn’t get to that one, nor many of the art museums – just not enough time and energy!
We are definitely soul-sisters!
I was drawn to the same exhibitions and took the same pictures at the British Museum
and I would much rather have a menhir in my garden or a picture of cave art on my wall than any ‘masterpiece’ from more recent times
The past reaches out to us both, n’est-ce pas?
Mouse, yes we are soul-sisters! Don’t forget our mutual love for Finland too!
Oh, Marja-Leena, those Assyrian reliefs are very dear to my heart! I’m so glad you saw them. When we used to go to London, I always spent time in those rooms and in the Roman Britain and Celt galleries; like Cycladic and Minoan art, I really love the less refined, earlier works of great civilizations and feel it speaks to us so much more directly.
Beth, you too, how wonderful and I agree to a preference for the earlier art! I wish we’d had the time and energy to see the others you mention. We did see a lot of astounding Celt art in the museum in Prague some years ago.
Kiinnostavia kuvia.
Minäkin olen innostunut museoissa kävijä. Lempimuseoitani ovat British Museum ja Louvre. Toronton ROM tuli tutuksi. Viime vuosien löytöjä ovat olleet Zagrebin museot.
Kaikissa noissa museoissa saa myös ottaa valokuvia. Kunpa suomalaiset museotkin antaisivat kuvata. Sillä tavalla tieto täkäläisistäkin museoista leviäisi. Kiitos hauskoista matkakertomuksistasi.
Hyvää juhannusta! Kun kirjoitan tätä, on sateinen juhannusaatto Helsingissä. Kodikasta näin kaupungissa.
P.S. Meidänkin lasten lempikohteita olivat muumiot ja dinosaurukset.
Kiitos, Anna, mukava kun kävit ja kirjoitit. Täällä Vancouverissa on erittäin mainio Museum of Anthropology, yksi suosikkini ja siellä saa ottaa kuviakin.
Hyvää juhannusta sinullekin!