Come on a journey and discover what it means to be Celtic in our major exhibition Celts: art and identity, an exploration of all things Celtic from 500 BC to the present day. You can also celebrate Celtic culture now through an evening of song, dance and performances at a free late event on 9 October. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see exceptional drawings created using the metalpoint technique in our exhibition Drawing in silver and gold: Leonardo to Jasper Johns. Plus discover Egypt’s incredible journey over 12 centuries in our exhibition Egypt: faith after the pharaohs, which opens at the end of October.
 |
Until 31 Jan 2016
‘a stupendous display of Celtic art’
★★★★★ The Guardian ‘extraordinary objects that will make you reflect on your own Celtic connections’ ★★★★ Daily Telegraph
Come on a journey tracing what it means to be Celtic...
This is the first major exhibition to examine the full history of Celtic art and identity, a story that unfolds over 2,500 years. From the first recorded mention of ‘Celts’ to an exploration of contemporary Celtic culture, discover how this identity has been revived and reinvented over the centuries, across Britain, Europe and beyond.
The fascinating art and history explored in the exhibition have deep resonances for those in Britain, Ireland and the global Celtic diaspora today, influencing everything from music and literature to sport and spirituality.
Organised with National Museums Scotland
Supported by
In memory of Melvin R Seiden
Sheila M Streek Stephen and Julie Fitzgerald Fund for the Future donors |
 |
 |
Fri 9 Oct, 18.00–20.30
Celebrate Celtic culture in the British and Irish Isles through an evening of song, dance and spoken word performances, and relax at the bar with themed food and drink.
Hear performances by the world’s only player of the carnyx (a Celtic war horn), award-winning Welsh tenor Rhodri Prys Jones and Irish ceili band Wraggle Taggle.
Free, just drop in
|
|
 |
Until 6 Dec 2015
‘A stupendously rich gathering of some of the greatest drawings in history’
★★★★★ The Guardian
This exhibition is the first to explore the development of metalpoint through six centuries and showcases the great variety of artistic styles it has encompassed. Such a glittering array of drawings by the greatest masters of this technique has never been assembled before. The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to view a large collection of masterpieces by artists including Rogier van der Weyden, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Albrecht Dürer, Hans Holbein the Elder and Rembrandt.
There’s also a full programme of related events.
Organised by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in association with the British Museum
|
|
 |
29 Oct 2015 – 7 Feb 2016
Discover Egypt’s incredible journey over 12 centuries, as Jews, Christians and Muslims transformed this ancient land.
This exhibition tells the story of the change from a world of many ancient gods to the worship of one God. Uniquely preserved in Egypt’s arid climate, the objects in the exhibition show how the shift to monotheism – the belief in one God – affected every part of life. Egypt’s experience reflects the wider move from the ancient to medieval world, a transition that has shaped the world today.
Generously supported by the Blavatnik Family Foundation
|
|
 |
Until 8 Nov 2015
Works on paper recently acquired by the Museum by eight artists.
Until 15 Nov 2015
Newly created works by three of Japan’s leading manga artists.
The Asahi Shimbun Displays
Until 15 Nov 2015
Explore the extraordinary medallic history of Louis XIV of France.
Until 6 Dec 2015
Discover a selection of clothing from the Pacific made of barkcloth.
|
|
 |
Thu 8 Oct, 14.30
With Hugo Chapman, Keeper of Prints and Drawings.
Free, booking essential
Sat 17 Oct, 14.00
A rare example of recent Welsh-language cinema, this award-winning film explores a chapter in Welsh and Argentine history.
£3, Members/concessions £2
Fri 23 Oct, 13.30
Pippa Shirley, Head of Collections and Gardens at Waddesdon Manor, offers a fascinating account of the Manor with a focus upon its founders the Rothschild family, the formation of their magnificent collections and legacy.
Free, booking essential
Fri 23 Oct, 19.00
Poet in the City presents an event exploring the Celtic legacy in contemporary poetry and celebrating a great tradition of oral performance, featuring live music, poetry and discussion from the four corners of the British and Irish Isles.
£8, Members/concessions £5
Fri 6 Nov, 18.30
Karen Armstrong, British Museum Trustee and world-renowned commentator on religious affairs, explores interreligious relations between Jews, Christians and Muslims in the first millennium AD, and how Egypt’s role as a frontier zone presaged current problems.
£5, Members/concessions £3
|
|
 |
Every year more than 3 million people see British Museum exhibitions and objects on show as part of touring exhibitions, spotlight loans or through work with partnership galleries. Catch these exhibitions and loans this month around the UK:
Social fabric: African textiles today takes a fresh look at the history, manufacture and social significance of African printed and factory-woven textiles. This exhibition is now showing at Ipswich Art School until January 2016.
Celebrating Ganesha features a 13th-century sculpture of Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god. See this sculpture at Oxford Museum until 12 January 2016.
|
|
 |
This bracelet is part of a set of a bracelet and earrings that are inspired by the Iron Age torcs found near Blair Drummond in Stirlingshire, Scotland. The Iron Age gold hoard was discovered in 2009 and has been described as the most significant discovery of Iron Age metalwork in Scotland. This jewellery is based on two torcs in the hoard that are made of fine, twisted gold – a style known as ‘ribbon torcs’.
Discover jewellery, replicas and more inspired by the exhibitionCelts: art and identity at the online shop.
|
|
Also this month
|
 |
National Portrait Gallery
15 Oct 2015 – 10 Jan 2016
Alberto Giacometti was one of the most important and distinctive artists of the 20th century. This exhibition is the first to focus on his portraiture and includes over 60 paintings, sculptures and drawings.
Regent’s Park
14–18 Oct 2015
Visit Frieze Masters and discover thousands of years of art history in a unique, contemporary setting. Over 130 of the world’s leading galleries come together along with special feature sections Spotlight and Collections and the Sculpture Park. Tickets available now.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Autumn 2015
This autumn a series of exhibitions, displays and special events explore the rich culture of South Asia, marking the 25th anniversary of the Museum’s Nehru Gallery opening.
|
