Ink-Stained Classics

At the most notable museums around the country, Classics are on view everywhere. Not only is the art fun to look at, but you also get a little bit of Ancient history in a not so boring way. In this blog, I have put together a few intriguing pieces from The Met, The Getty Villa, and MFA if you aren’t able to visit the actual exhibits. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City (https://www.metmuseum.org/)

Terracotta modiolus (drinking cup)

The pot/ cup was made out of terracotta and arretine ware in Northern Italy. As the Romans had a growing population, pottery evolved as well. As pottery were made, they were often distributed throughout the Roman Empire across the globe. New techniques of decoration, similar to the one engraved onto the pottery displayed above, were constantly being developed. As wealth grew, access to new materials like metal and glass gave pottery a different look. The Terracotta modiolus displayed at The Met was made earlier– as depicted by the red color.

Marble head of Epikouros 

This piece features the philosopher, Epikouros, made towards the end of his lifetime or shortly after his death. Epikouros was a well known philosopher from ancient Rome. His own theory was Epicureanism– that one’s own happiness is the highest good in the universe, and that it is best achieved through tranquility and freedom. In addition to this theory, Epikouros (or Epicurus) taught that atoms were the basic constituents of the world and explained the atomic terms. Some of his most well-known and influential books he has written include: The Art of Happiness, The philosophy of Epicurus, and Letter of Menoeceus

A few more highlights: 

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Ancient Coins

Ancient coins are featured in the ongoing exhibit: Art of Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Byzantine Empire. The coins of ancient Greek began around 650 BC to replace much simpler money made of small lumps. Looking at the coins in this exhibit reveals a similar template of those coins being made today. However, the unique designs include great detail about the society at the time. 

Mixing Bowl (calyx krater) 

This bowl that dates back to 470-460 BC was made to depict the fall of Troy. The legend of The Trojan War was between the early Greeks and the Trojans. The war concluded when The Greeks left a Trojan Horse behind for the Trojans, fooling them of their victory. Greek soldiers who were hidden inside the horse emerged and destroyed the city of Troy, concluding the Trojan War. This mixing bowl is  only one of the many illustrations from the Trojan cycle. 

Getty Villa, Malibu

Being inside the Getty Villa museum places yourself within a representation of Ancient Roman architecture. The Getty Villa is modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, both of which include a large collection of bronze sculptures. The Roman villa was a statement of wealth, power, and refinement. These lavish wonders of the ancient world played an important part for the wealthy Roman elite.