There’s plenty to look forward to at the Museum in 2017 – keep your eyes peeled for exciting announcements in the coming weeks!
You can still catch our five-star South African art exhibition, a journey through 100,000 years of the nation’s history. A unique combination of ancient objects, gold treasures and contemporary art, it closes on 26 February – make sure you book in advance.
Our newest free display focuses on the 9,500-year-old Jericho Skull – the oldest portrait in the Museum. The display looks at how modern technology has revealed the face of this ancient person. You can listen to our podcast about its discovery here.
Finally, don’t miss our other free exhibitions ending this January – they focus on just a few of the interesting topics covered by the collection, from French drawings to Asian shadow puppets!
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★★★★★ ‘dazzling... a journey to the heart of our common humanity’ The Guardian
★★★★ ‘magic... powerful’ Evening Standard
★★★★ ‘fantastic’ Londonist
Take a journey through an incredible 100,000 years of art and history in our special exhibition South Africa: the art of a nation.
Explore more through related events including lectures and films.
Sponsored by Betsy and Jack Ryan
Logistics partner IAG Cargo
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From spicy curries to sweet milk and fruit desserts, sample some of the flavours of South Africa with our exhibition-themed set menu, now available in the Great Court Restaurant.
You can save when you book an exhibition ticket and meal together with our special packages.
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In the heat and humidity of the summer of 1969, Robert Rauschenberg was busy recording the fervour and ambition of the Apollo 11 launch in Florida. The artist was invited to record the historic event by NASA, where he had access to official documents and photographs. One of the results was a towering print, over 2 metres tall, that evokes the sensory overload of the launch with technical diagrams, scenes from Cape Kennedy (now Cape Canaveral), and Florida’s natural environment.
Sky Garden will be on display in our upcoming major exhibition along with other prints that reflect America through six dynamic and turbulent decades. The show charts how artists like Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol and Kara Walker have responded to changing times.
To mark the American presidential inauguration, we’ll be hosting a Facebook Live broadcast, looking at some key works in the exhibition, with a chance to ask your questions. For more details, follow us on Facebook.
9 March – 18 June 2017
Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
Supported by the Terra Foundation for American Art
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Until 29 Jan 2017
A stunning display of Southeast Asian puppets from the collection.
Until 29 Jan 2017
Over 40 rarely seen works on paper that trace contemporary artist Hambling’s engagement with drawing throughout her career to date.
Until 29 Jan 2017
See over 65 portraits by French artists spanning four centuries, including many never previously exhibited.
The Asahi Shimbun Displays
Until 19 Feb 2017
Come face to face with the oldest portrait in the Museum – a human skull that was decorated with plaster about 9,500 years ago.
Supported by The Asahi Shimbun
Until 2 Apr 2017
A display of works by Iranian artists including Bahman Mohassess, Parviz Tanavoli and Mitra Tabrizian.
Until 7 May 2017
Featuring coins that were defaced to condemn the memory of Roman emperors or undermine living ones.
Supported by Stephen and Julie Fitzgerald
Research funded by The Leverhulme Trust
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Fri 13 Jan, 18.30
This panel discussion will celebrate and explore the life, character and enduring legacy of the South African leader.
£5, Members/concessions £3
Fri 20 Jan, 18.00
Come and celebrate the enduring soul of South Africa, and the shared connections its history inspires, through an evening of music, performance and workshops.
Free, booking essential
Sat 21 Jan, 10.30–16.30
A special day of lectures and gallery talks looking at the drawing techniques of Michelangelo, Venice on the eve of the Golden Age, Renaissance ceramics, the Waddesdon Bequest, and more.
Tickets £23
Sat 28 Jan, 13.30
Discover the rich artistic heritage of southern Africa in this lecture by Peter Mitchell, University of Oxford.
Free, booking essential
Thu 2 Feb, 13.30
British Museum Curator Richard Hobbs presents his new research on the iconic Mildenhall Treasure.
Free, booking essential
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