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Perfect introduction to art, paintings and drawings
Visit Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum which houses world-class collections of works of art and antiquities spanning centuries and civilisations
If you are interested in museums and galleries but don't fancy a trip to London, there are some worthwhile, interesting museums to visit within a 40-mile radius of the Bedford area.
Since 1848 The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, with its imposing white faade featuring some of the finest clusters of soaring classical columns, has housed world-class collections of works of art and antiquities spanning centuries and civilisations.
It's located in Trumpington Street within walking distance (approximately 500 metres) of the city centre, The museum offers a perfect introduction to art, paintings, drawings and prints from
European, American and Asian schools, from the 13th century to the present day.
You can gaze at antiquities and artefacts from ancient Egypt and Sudan, Greece, Rome, Cyprus and the ancient near east. Or wonder at ancient, medieval and modern coins, medals, tokens, banknotes and other forms of coinage from all parts of the world.
Other features not to be missed are the exhibitions which allow many of the museum's most spectacular treasures and artefacts to be displayed together.
The current exhibition is aptly titled I Turned It Into A Palace, on until March 17. This celebrates one of the most enriching periods in the history of the Fitzwilliam Museum under the directorship of Sir Sydney Cockerell (1908-1937).
It examines his close relationship with leading artists, writers and collectors of the period, including John Ruskin, William Morris, the
pre-Raphaelites, Thomas Hardy, George Bernard Shaw, Charles Fairfax Murray and Henry Yates Thompson.
On show are many of Cockerell's most remarkable acquisitions, including Samuel Palmer's Magic Apple Tree, the works of William Blake, Keats' autograph, manuscript of Ode To The Nightingale and superb medieval illuminated manuscripts.
From February 17 to May 24, 'Changing Faces' will focus on Anthony Van Dyck as an etcher.
If you think some London museums are too expansive for your children to enjoy, and would like an example or illustration of a history and art museum, the Fitzwilliam offers 'Fitz kits' and trails for the whole family. This gives children over the age of five an understanding of history, art and antiquities.
While at the Fitzwilliam, do visit the courtyard caf which serves an all-day menu including morning coffee, afternoon tea, sandwiches and light lunches. It is a pleasant location to meet friends or take a break.
Admission to the museum's collections and exhibitions is free. Call 01223 332900 or www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk for opening times.
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 14 February 2012
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