The Cambridge History of Painting in the Classical World

Painting was one of the major achievements of the Classical world. This book examines the development of mural and panel painting in the Classical world from the earliest Minoan and Cycladic frescoes of the Aegean Bronze Age to late Roman painting, from approximately 1800 BC to AD 400. It provides a comprehensive study of major monuments, including exciting new material that has been discovered in recent years and has transformed the field. It also offers a critical overview of scholarly debates and controversies on aspects of style, iconography, technique and cultural context. This volume provides an up-to-date and much-needed overview of the monuments that are now known and of the ideas that have been generated about them.

Table of Contents:
Preface J. J. Pollitt; 1. Aegean painting in the Bronze Age Anne Chapin; 2. The lost art: early Greek wall and panel-painting, 760–480 BC Jeffrey Hurwit; 3. Etruscan and Greek tomb painting in Italy, c.700–400 BC Stephan Steingräber; 4. Reflections of monumental painting in Greek vase painting in the fifth and fourth centuries BC Mark Stansbury-O'Donnell; 5. Hellenistic painting in the eastern Mediterranean: mid-fourth to mid-first century BC Stella G. Miller; 6. Etruscan and Italic tomb painting: c.400–200 BC Agnès Rouveret; 7. Painting in Greek and Graeco-Roman art criticism J. J. Pollitt; 8. Roman painting in the Republic and early Empire Irene Bragantini; 9. Roman painting of the middle and late Empire Roger Ling.

About the Author :
J. J. Pollitt is Sterling Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology and History of Art at Yale University. He served as Dean of the Graduate School from 1986 to 1991, Editor-in-Chief of American Journal of Archaeology from 1973 to 1977 and Chairman of the Publications Committee of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens from 1982 to 1985. He is the author of numerous books, including Art and Experience in Classical Greece, The Ancient View of Greek Art, Art in the Hellenistic Age and Personal Styles in Greek Sculpture.

Review :
'This richly illustrated, up-to-date overview is superbly written by a cast of stars. Filled with recent discoveries, there is something new of importance for every scholar and student of ancient Mediterranean painting.' John H. Oakley, College of William and Mary, Virginia 'This collection of essays presents new material and excellent, up-to-date studies that will serve as the first resource on this topic for both students and scholars; it is also a pleasure to read. The numerous high-quality illustrations, many in color, complement the learned text written by leading experts in the field.' Judith M. Barringer, University of Edinburgh