The art of the ancient Mediterranean world, from Egyptian tomb painting to Greek and Roman sculpture.
c. 3000 BC – AD 400Egypt, Greece and Rome1 key artists
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Overview
What is Ancient & Classical Art?
c. 3000 BC – AD 400Period
Egypt, Greece and RomeBegan in
1Key artists on this page
12Works with free images
6Museums to visit
Ancient art refers to the many types of art produced by the advanced cultures of ancient societies with different forms of writing, such as those of China, India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. The art of pre-literate societies is normally referred to as prehistoric art and is not covered by the scope of the ancient era. Furthermore, although some pre-Columbian cultures developed writing in the centuries preceding the European discovery of the Americas, these advancements are, on grounds of dating, largely covered with the dedicated topic of pre-Columbian art and associated sub-topics, such as Maya art, Aztec art, and Olmec art.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
Ancient – There are few remaining examples with early art often favouring drawing over colour. Work has been found recently in tombs, Egyptian frescoes, pottery and metalwork.
Classical – Relating to or from ancient Roman or Greek architecture and art. Mainly concerned with geometry and symmetry rather than individual expression.
Byzantine – A religious art characterised by large domes, rounded arches and mosaics from the eastern Roman Empire in the 4th Century.
Bust of Queen Nefertiti by Thutmose, -1350 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Period
c. 3000 BC – AD 400
Began in
Egypt, Greece and Rome
Key artists
Myron
Related
Medieval & Gothic Art, The Eight, Symbolism
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Ancient & Classical Art
Art made for religious, funerary and civic purposes rather than for private collectors
Egyptian art follows strict conventions, such as figures shown with the head in profile and the eye and shoulders seen from the front
Greek sculpture moved from stiff archaic figures towards naturalistic, idealised human bodies
Roman art adopted Greek models and added realistic portrait busts, mosaics and wall painting
Proportion, symmetry and harmony became ideals that later periods called 'classical'
Timeline
When was Ancient & Classical Art?
Ancient & Classical Art is usually dated c. 3000 BC – AD 400, beginning in Egypt, Greece and Rome. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
The art of the ancient Mediterranean world, from Egyptian tomb painting to Greek and Roman sculpture.
When was Ancient & Classical Art?
Ancient & Classical Art: c. 3000 BC – AD 400. It began in Egypt, Greece and Rome. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Ancient & Classical Art?
Art made for religious, funerary and civic purposes rather than for private collectors; Egyptian art follows strict conventions, such as figures shown with the head in profile and the eye and shoulders seen from the front; Greek sculpture moved from stiff archaic figures towards naturalistic, idealised human bodies; Roman art adopted Greek models and added realistic portrait busts, mosaics and wall painting; Proportion, symmetry and harmony became ideals that later periods called 'classical'.
Who are the most famous Ancient & Classical Art artists?
Myron.
What are some famous Ancient & Classical Art works?
Bust of Queen Nefertiti by Thutmose; Odeon of Amman; Standing Figure of Nefertiti; Statue of a youth wearing a chlamys; Table support (NAMA 5706).
Where can I see Ancient & Classical Art art?
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, United States), Egyptian Museum of Berlin (Germany), National Archaeological Museum of Athens (Greece), National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona (Spain), Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities of the Louvre (France) hold works shown on this page.
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