Oxford, Christ Church Picture Gallery closes for major renovation and expansion

Oxford’s Christ Church, one of the colleges that make up the prestigious University of Oxford, has announced an ambitious project to renovate and expand the Christ Church Picture Gallery, one of England’s most important museums, intended to transform the historic building into a modern, world-class facility capable of ensuring better preservation and wider public and academic enjoyment of one of the world’s most important Old Masters collections.

The intervention involves a building constructed in the 1960s by architects Powell and Moya, the original vision of which will be preserved while being adapted to contemporary standards. The stated goal is to combine respect for the architectural heritage with innovation, ensuring that the gallery can meet the preservation and accessibility requirements demanded by a collection of historical and international significance.

The Christ Church Picture Gallery houses about 7,000 works, including paintings, drawings, prints, glass, metal icons and sculptures. This is a highly prestigious, globally recognized collection that also includes works considered to be of universal value. However, the current facility, dating back to the 1960s, is no longer able to guarantee the environmental and functional conditions necessary for the proper protection and enhancement of such an important collection.

To enable the work to begin, the gallery will temporarily close to the public. Preparatory operations are already underway and include the transfer of the works to specialized storage facilities equipped with museum standards and managed by operators with specific skills in handling and preserving works of art. The last day of opening was last Thursday, April 30, the date from which the phase of closing and securing the collection will begin.

During the period of closure (currently indefinite), Christ Church has made a series of arrangements to keep some of its most iconic works visible to the public through loans to other national institutions. This is a choice aimed at ensuring continuity of access to the heritage, even in the context of a complex structural intervention.

The renovation project was entrusted to Ptolemy Dean, a leading figure in the field of historic preservation and design in fine architectural settings. Dean is a member of the National Trust Architectural Panel and the Salisbury Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee and since 2012 has served as Surveyor of the Fabric at Westminster Abbey, where in 2018 he led the construction of the Weston Tower, the most significant addition to the abbey in more than two centuries.

The work involves creating a larger, accessible space that meets international museum standards. The main objectives include the possibility of displaying more works, while improving the interpretation and legibility of the exhibition itinerary. The project also aims to strengthen conservation conditions, through controlled environments and advanced security systems, in line with best practices in the field of collections management.

Special attention is paid toaccessibility, with the introduction of solutions that will facilitate entry and enjoyment by a wider audience, including researchers, students, college members and visitors. The planned innovations include elevator access from the Canterbury Quad, an element that will help make the gallery fully inclusive. The project also contemplates the creation of spaces dedicated to the conservation and study of works on paper, which are a major component of the collection. In fact, specially designed rooms will be created to house drawings and prints, allowing for more efficient management and better accessibility for scholars and researchers.

An additional highlight is theintegration with the college’s library expansion project. This synergy will enable the development of shared infrastructure, including a digitization suite and improved storage spaces for both collections. It is an approach that aims to optimize resources and foster new opportunities for research and collaboration.

Highlighting the importance of the intervention was Sarah Foot, dean of Christ Church, who said, “This project represents an essential investment in the long-term preservation and public enjoyment of Christ Church’s collection. I am excited about Ptolemy Dean’s vision for a world-class Art Gallery fit for the next century and beyond. By creating a larger, accessible, museum-level space, we will be able to share more of these extraordinary works, improve facilities for study and learning, and ensure the best possible conditions for their preservation for decades to come.”

The temporary closure of the gallery thus marks the beginning of a transformational phase destined to redefine Christ Church Picture Gallery’s role in the international arena. Once completed, the facility will be able to offer a more comprehensive and accessible experience while strengthening its mission of preservation, research and outreach.

Oxford, Christ Church Picture Gallery closes for major renovation and expansion

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