Ancient art
Ancient art comprises visual and decorative works made by societies of the ancient world, including sculpture, painting, architecture, and pottery.
Egyptian art: The visual culture of ancient Egypt, shaped by religious practice, royal power, and enduring conventions. Its tomb paintings, statues, and reliefs show how art served Egyptian religion and kingship.
Lost-wax casting: A metal-casting process in which a wax model is replaced by molten metal. Bronze sculptors used it to produce complex forms that were difficult to carve.
Ancient Egyptian religion: The religious beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt, centered on gods, ritual, and the afterlife. Religious beliefs guided the subjects, settings, and intended functions of many Egyptian artworks.
Ancient Near East: A historical region encompassing early societies of Southwest Asia and parts of northeastern Africa. Its kingdoms and cities developed visual traditions that influenced neighboring ancient societies.
Archaeological artifact: An object made or modified by humans and studied as evidence of past societies. The artifact category emphasizes an object's evidence and use, while art often foregrounds form and interpretation.
Greek art: The visual traditions of ancient Greek societies, including sculpture, pottery, painting, and architecture. Greek artists developed influential approaches to the human figure, proportion, and civic space.
Fresco: A painting technique that applies pigment to wet plaster so color bonds with the drying surface. Wall paintings in ancient buildings often used plaster-based techniques to cover large surfaces.
Roman imperial cult: The worship and ritual honoring Roman emperors and members of the imperial family. Portraits and monuments helped make imperial authority visible and ritually present.
Silk Road: A network of overland and maritime routes that connected parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa across centuries. Long-distance exchange carried materials, techniques, and motifs between ancient artistic cultures.
Modern art: Art associated with movements that challenged inherited styles and institutions from the late nineteenth century onward. Modern art's shifting definitions of art differ from the often integrated functions of ancient works.