Exploring Ancient Greek sculpture at the Museum of Classical Archaeology (ARTH 04)

  • Day and time: Wednesday 15:00 - 16:30
    Weekly
  • Length of course: 3 terms. Autumn (10 Weeks), Spring (10 Weeks), Summer (9 Weeks)
  • Number of places: 12
  • Start date: 08 October 2025
  • Description:

    We will explore the unsurpassed beauty of Greek sculpture at Cambridge's Museum of Classical Archaeology. Because the sculptures are copies, the museum is able to display a vast and comprehensive series of masterpieces which no museum of actual marble or bronze originals could ever provide. I shall give an analysis, as we start from the Archaic period and work our way gradually to Hellenistic times and beyond. Attention will be given to stylistic change over the centuries; to the relationship between form as such and the form of the human body; to the function of the sculptures in cult and temple; to the political, cultural and social context; and to stylistic borrowings from, adaptations of, and influence on, the art of neighbouring cultures.

  • Format: Lecture

  • Tutor: Chris Jones
  • I have spent dozens of fortnights visiting museums in Europe and America over half a century, looking at Greek sculptures, which are so very beautiful.


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