History of Ancient Art

Where art history begins: cave paintings, the first sculptures and monuments like Stonehenge. Short essays by art historians, ideal before diving into the ancient civilizations.

Smarthistory

From Sumerian statues to Assyrian palace reliefs and Persian Persepolis. A beautifully illustrated guide to the art of Mesopotamia and its empires.

Smarthistory

Pyramids, temples, tomb paintings and the famous bust of Nefertiti, period by period. A clear guide to three thousand years of Egyptian art.

Smarthistory

The art of the Cycladic islands, Minoan Crete and Mycenae, the cultures that came before classical Greece. Few people know these works, and this guide makes them easy to explore.

Smarthistory

Pottery, temples and sculpture from the Archaic period to the Hellenistic age, including the Parthenon. Nearly 200 illustrated pages written by specialists.

Smarthistory