Classical art

"Ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan civilizations come vividly to life in this selection of over one hundred highlights from the MFA's collection of Classical art. An introduction by curators Christine Kondoleon and Richard A. Grossmann outlines the geographical and historical scope of the Classical world from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity describes the range of materials and techniques used by ancient artists, and provides a brief history of the MFA's collection. An appendix by conservator Pamela Hatchfield shares the conservation stories of some of the featured objects. In the splendidly illustrated body of the book, the highlighted artworks are grouped according to five broad themes: myth and religion, heroes and warriors, love and loss, daily life, and beasts and beauties. Celebrated mosaics, statues, and vases share the stage with less-familiar jewelry, coins, and glassware - each piece accompanied by a concise discussion of its artistic creation and cultural context. Both shared interests and varied traditions emerge in cross-cultural discussions of topics such as war and politics, commemoration of the dead, sports and entertainment, and the human form, providing rich insight into the astonishing civilizations that produced and used these fascinating objects so many centuries ago."--Jacket.