Exhibitions
There is a changing programme of exhibitions of books, manuscripts, and letters in showcases at the top of the stairs into the Old Library, and in the Laudian Library. Exhibitions are open to all members of College and their guests. Holders of an Oxford Alumni Card may visit St John's College free of charge with up to three guests, at any time during daylight hours. Please present your Alumni Card to the lodge porter on arrival.
Current Exhibition
Liturgy: Sex, Violence and Prayer
Charting the development of liturgical books from the late Middle Ages through the Reformation. Prayer books might not sound too exciting but in the fifteenth century they were bestsellers, illuminated with favourite scenes: King David spying on Bathsheba in the bath, debating with Satan, wrestling with lions or hacking Goliath's head off; or saints being burned, shot with arrows, and fighting dragons. In the sixteenth century people were prepared to be burned at the stake for them. And in the seventeenth century, one helped start a war. They were, and are, a lot more colourful than might be imagined.
For further details please download the handlist. The exhibition will continue until the end of September 2012.
Previous Exhibitions
- 2011-12 Something Rich and Strange: the Exploration of America
- 2011 Catching Breath: Language & Writing
- 2010 Birds, Bees & Bonnacons: zoological illustration
- 2009 Greek manuscripts and early printed books
- 2008 Gifts from the 16th century
- 2007 Arabic manuscripts
- 2006 Livres d'artiste
