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From 2nd Century BC To 6th Century

4 min read
From 2nd Century BC To 6th Century

From the 2nd century BC to the 6th century, art history saw a shift from naturalism to idealism. This was a period in which artists began to depict subjects more realistically, but also began to idealize them, making them more perfect than they actually were. This shift can be seen in the art of the time, which often showed people and objects in an idealized way.

Bronze statuette of a philosopher on a lamp stand

Greek and Roman Art / The Met

    This is a copy of a Greek statue of the 3rd century B. C.
    The copy is a reduced copy of a Hellenistic original of the III century B. C.
    The copy is surmounted by a portrait statuette of a philosopher.

Glass plaque fragment

Greek and Roman Art / The Met

    The plaque is not a true cameo, since the translucent blue background is completely covered with a thin layer of opaque light-blue glass.
    The scene, which involves a man and at least one other person, cannot now be identified.
    The plaque is made of translucent pale blue and opaque mid blue.

Glass cameo fragment

Greek and Roman Art / The Met

    The fragment comes from a flat panel of glass, probably a plaque rather than a vessel.
    The honey brown ground and opaque turquoise overlay are an unusual combination for Roman cameo glass.
    The fragment is broken on all sides with weathered edges; dulling, slight pitting, patches of weathering and brilliant iridescence on back.

Fragment from a Two-Sided Sanctuary Screen with Birds Eating Grapes

Islamic Art / The Met

    This fragment was probably part of the waist-high screen that separated the congregation (in the nave of the church) from the clergy (in the sanctuary).
    This side would have faced the congregation and shows birds eating grapes, a symbolic allusion to the Eucharist.
    The fragment is made of limestone and is decorated with a relief of birds eating grapes.

Fragment of a painted mummy shroud

Greek and Roman Art / The Met

    This fragment is part of a portrait of a woman painted in tempera on a linen shroud.
    All that survives is a view of her hands:she wears a lot of jewelry, including a ring on every finger of her left hand.
    The snake-ring on her right hand finds parallels in actual gold rings, which are usually dated to the first century A. D., but this shroud is probably later.

Bronze serving fork

Greek and Roman Art / The Met

    There are examples of forks from Roman times that may have been used to serve food rather than as individual eating utensils.
    This two-pronged fork has a finial in the shape of an ox hoof similar to that on the bronze spoon also on view in this case.
    This fork has a finial in the shape of an ox hoof similar to that on the bronze spoon also on view in this case.

Belt Buckle

Medieval Art / The Met

    This object comes from the Vermand Treasure, the most richly appointed barbarian-warrior grave ever found.
    The grave was likely that of an auxiliary soldier stationed in the Roman province of Gaul.
    It also contained a shield, parts of which of which are on view in the Arms and Armor Galleries.

Silver spoon

From 14th Century To 15th Century

From 14th Century To 15th Century

During the 14th and 15th centuries, artists in Europe began to break away from the traditional Gothic style. They began to experiment with new techniques and styles, resulting in a period of great creativity and innovation in the arts. Some of the most famous artworks from this period include the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, and the sculptures of Donatello. Box with Romance Scenes     This coffret illustrated with scenes from Arthurian and other courtly literature of the M
-5 min read
From 1819 To 1826

From 1819 To 1826

The 19th century was a time of great change in the world of art. Artists began to experiment with new styles and media, and the art world was forever changed as a result. Some of the most famous artists of the time include Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pablo Picasso. The Falls of Niagara     The painting is of Niagara Falls from the Canadian side.     The painting is based on a vignette of the falls from a map of North America published by Henry S. Tanner in 1822. Heroic Landscape w
-4 min read
From 1787 To 1800

From 1787 To 1800

The 18th century was a time of great change in the world of art. New styles and genres emerged, and artists began to experiment with new techniques and materials. The art of the 18th century reflected the changing times, and the growing interest in the natural world and the human form. Elizabeth Farren (born about 1759, died 1829), Later Countess of Derby     The Irish actress Elizabeth Farren made her London debut in 1777 and soon became one of the most popular comic performers of the day.  
-5 min read