These striking images of Morse author Colin Dexter and Lewis actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox will remind passers-by of the Ashmolean Museum's greatest treasures.

The dramatic photographs by Theo Chalmers are celebrating the museum's collections in the run-up to the launch of the new Rick Mather building in autumn, 2009. The images are designed to get people visiting the museum in the run-up to the closure period, from January 1 until the autumn of next year, when major building work is carried out.

There will be no public access to the Beaumont Street museum or café until the launch of the revamped attraction, but the shop will remain open for business. The large-scale graphics will remain in place for four weeks.

Dr Christopher Brown, director of the museum, said: "We are extremely grateful to the individuals who have generously given their time and support to this campaign.

"Photographer Theo Chalmers has created a magnificent series of portraits with which the public can identify.

"Our thanks also goes to Oxford Bus Company, which has been working with us on an innovative project to keep the Ashmolean in the public eye during the final phase of the museum’s exciting developments."

Further portraits of well-known faces will be displayed on the side of Oxford Bus Company buses in the near future.

The portraits illustrate Oxford's history of crime and punishment, and the subjects are pictured holding Cranmer's Band, The Manacle and the Bocardo Prison Key.

These items were used in the imprisonment of the Oxford Martyrs in the Saxon tower, next to St Michael at the Northgate Church, in Cornmarket Street.

Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer were imprisoned for their Protestant faith under the Roman Catholic rule of Queen Mary, before being burnt at the stake on Broad Street, Oxford, in 1555 and 1556.

An online exhibition of the photographs is being developed for people to upload their favourite stories from the Ashmolean collections, or to share experiences which they have enjoyed at the museum.

Mr Chalmers specialises in portrait work and his photos have been exhibited in public and private galleries around the UK and abroad.

He said: "Using the museum's amazing collections and working with a fantastic group of models, I have been allowed to create a set of challenging and dynamic images."

Founded in 1683, the museum is the most important museum of art and archaeology outside London.

The £61m refurbishment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will include 39 new galleries.

Designed by renowned architect Rick Mather, the development will also feature a new education centre, conservation studios, a walk-through between the museum and the Cast Gallery, and Oxford’s first rooftop café.

  • To find out more about the online exhibition, visit www.ashmolean.org/MyAshmolean