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Exhibitions and events

23 events

Pieces of paper laid out on the floor on top of each other.

Artists making books: poetry to politics
. Free .

This intriguing new show explores the history of artists taking on the medium of books.

Ink and colour picture showing the head and shoulders of an elderly Chinese woman with her hair tied back. She is wearing green earings and a blue jacket decorated with gold leaves around the neck.

China’s hidden century
. Final weeks .

In a global first, the resilience and innovation of 19th-century China is revealed through the stories of its remarkable individuals.

A painted scene of boats packed with people on a dark blue sea full of movement, as if there are large waves. In the background, there is a crowded beach and on the horizon a city-scape lit up in fiery hues, featuring familiar monuments from cities across the world. Ghostly faces loom from deep blue vegetation in the foreground, and in the sky above.

Perilous journeys: reflections on migration
. Free .

Works by contemporary artists reflect on the loss of people and culture through the impact of human trafficking and unsafe migration.

Dark red ants gather in a cluster on a peach-coloured background.

Ed Ruscha: roads and insects
. Free .

From life-sized depictions of insects to rusting road signs and the stretching highway, discover the work of the American artist Ed Ruscha.

A drawing of two apples on a branch, surrounded by deep green leaves

The genius of nature: botanical drawings by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues
. Free .

Revel in the beauty of nature at this display of works by Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues – one of the most gifted botanical artists of his age...

Three figures and upon an ancient scroll.

Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies
. Coming soon .

A masterpiece of early Chinese figure painting, from the fifth to seventh century AD, displayed annually at the British Museum.

A black textile adorned with a colourful scene, including sitting figures surrounded by trees, a figure shooting an arrow towards the sky, and Hanuman flying through the air carrying a rock, Hanuman (possibly carrying the Mountain of Herbs or Building the Bridge to Lanka), and Hanuman talking to a sage (with two hares below).

Burma to Myanmar
. Book now .

Journeying through 1,500 years of cultural and political change, this exhibition charts a story of trade, faith and empire at the crossroads...

Bust of Pharaoh in the Egyptian sculpture gallery, lit up.

Gallery talks & tours

£33
21 Sep 2023 – 10 Dec 2023

Out-of-hours tour: an introduction to ancient Egypt
. Book now .

Discover the fascinating history of ancient Egypt and see statues of kings and gods, the Rosetta Stone and more in this special guided tour

Small groups of children and adults looking in display cases in the Enlightenment gallery.

Gallery talks & tours

£33
22 Sep 2023 – 22 Dec 2023

Out-of-hours tour: an introduction to the British Museum
. Book now .

Explore the oldest room in the Museum in this special guided tour before the galleries open to the public.

A tour group looking at lintel carvings in the Mexico gallery.

Gallery talks & tours

£14
22 Sep 2023 – 29 Oct 2023

Around the world in 90 minutes tour
. Book now .

Go on a journey of discovery around the galleries and get closer to some of the most famous objects in the collection.

Circular page decorated with two separate designs which appears to have discoloured slightly with age. The design on the top half takes the shape of a fan and shows figures draped in fabric sat in a country scene with Chinese characters written above. The design on the bottom half is comprised of three monochromatic rectangular panels - the central panel depicts a vessel while the two panels on either side contain elaborate calligraphy.

Study days & courses

£129
22 Sep 2023 – 13 Oct 2023

An introduction to Mandarin Chinese

Join this introductory four-week course and learn the basics of Mandarin Chinese using objects and inscriptions in the British Museum.

View of the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia, Room 33.

Gallery talks & tours

£33
21 Sep 2023 – 9 Dec 2023

Out-of-hours tour: an introduction to China
. Book now .

Journey through the extraordinary cultures of China in this special guided tour.