Charles Cockerell

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Temple of Apollo at Bassae.
Photograph: Hannibal, Athens

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Charles Cockerell.
Drawing: Ingres

The architect Charles Robert Cockerell had studied ancient architecture in Greece. His knowledge of Greek art and architecture in general, and of the late 5th century BC Temple of Apollo at Bassae in particular, profoundly influenced his design for the University Galleries.

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Portico of the Ashmolean Museum.
Photograph: Beazley Archive, Ian Hiley

Apollo himself presides over Cockerell's building whose colonnaded portico and pediment closely resemble those of ancient Greek temples.