Supporting Preservation of the Oxford Union's Pre-Raphaelite Murals

As part of its broader charitable mission, OXUF is proud to support the maintenance and preservation of the Oxford Union's landmark buildings and unique cultural heritage. We have been particularly pleased to contribute to conservation of the Pre-Raphaelite murals in the Old Library.

The Union recently published an update on these efforts, which we share below:

In the summer of 2025, the Oxford Union commissioned Cliveden Conservation Workshop to undertake a condition survey of the Pre-Raphelite murals in the Old Library. This was done with a view to ascertain what conservation work had been carried out previously, and how the murals had fared in the intervening years. 

The survey came back as largely positive, considering the not insignifcant structural and environmental concerns associated with a building of this age, and will serve as the first step in the journey toward conserving these unique artworks and bringing the Old Library up to modern standards.

From the Arthurian vistas of the murals, via the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, to the Union membership itself, the common theme of unity holds firm. These artworks represent not only a unique example of the burgeoning arts and crafts movement, but also serve as a reflection of the Union's values to this day.

This work was only able to be conducted thanks to the generosity of The Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore Foundation and The US Oxford Union Foundation.