Ancient Art and its Historiography

This 2003 book explores the historiography of ancient Near Eastern and Classical art.

A. A. Donohue (Edited by), Mark D. Fullerton (Edited by)

9780521292597, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 June 2011

224 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.2 cm, 0.31 kg

Review of the hardback: '… this is a stimulating and thought-provoking collection which will be of interest both to scholars of ancient art and to those interested in the reception and uses of the ancient world from antiquity to the present day.' Journal of Hellenic Studies

This 2003 book treats the historiography of ancient Near Eastern and Classical art, examining the social, intellectual and institutional contexts that have shaped the way that the history of ancient art has been and continues to be written. It demonstrates how, from the Renaissance to the time of publication, the study and interpretation of ancient art reflect contemporary ideas and practices. Among the subjects considered are the classical tradition in the post-antique West; the emergence of academic disciplines; the role of collections in the evaluation of ancient art; and issues of race, gender, and cultural authority in the interpretation of ancient civilisations.

1. Introduction A. A. Donohue
2. From whore to Hierodules: the historiographic invention of Mesopotamian female sex professionals Julia Assante
3. Humanissima ars: evaluation and devaluation in Pliny, Vasari, and Baden Jacob Isager
4. The fate of plate and other precious materials: towards a historiography of ancient Greek minor arts Kenneth Lapatin
5. 'Der stil der nachahmer': a brief historiography of stylistic retrospection Mark D. Fullerton
6. The Peplos and the Dorian Question Mireille M. Lee
7. Mrs Arthur Strong, Morelli, and the Troopers of Cortés Mary Beard
8. Jargon, authenticity, and the nature of cultural history writing: Not Out of Africa and the Black Athena debate Joanne Monteagle Stearns.

Subject Areas: History of art: ancient & classical art,BCE to c 500 CE [ACG], History of art: pre-history [ACC]