George Glazer Gallery - Antiques - Ancient Greece & Rome

Greek and Roman Civilization
The cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome left a rich legacy of art, architecture and literature that continued to inspire artists in the centuries that followed.
Click on the pictures for more information about individual items shown here, many of which are for sale.

Archaeological Excavations Uncovered Art and Architecture
Beginning in the 18th century, archaeological excavations unearthed vases and artifacts that were documented in portfolios of prints and marketed to travelers on "the Grand Tour" and to aristocratic patrons for their libraries.

The discovery of the city of Pompeii in 1748, buried by a volcanic eruption in 79 AD, yielded Roman wall paintings in a remarkable state of preservation. Italian publishers produced prints (right) which served as souvenirs of "the Grand Tour," a trip through continental Europe undertaken by wealthy British citizens, focusing on sites of historical and cultural importance as well as natural wonders.

Pompeian Frescoes, from In Casa Pseudorbana di Pompei

Excavation of Antiquities -- Hamilton's Vases

Pair of Classical Gods in Chariots by Raphael

Prints of classical architecture were popular with educated Europeans throughout the 18th century and into the 19th. Above, a Blaeu-Mortier print (above) Coliseum, printed in 1704-05.

This print (left) depicts the removal of Ancient Greek vases from tombs as tourists look on.

Helmet of Bronze, (bronze cavalry parade helmet)

A Roman cavalry parade helmet was discovered in 1796 by a boy playing on the site of a Roman fortress in England. This engraving was commissioned by the Society of Antiquaries, London, in 1799.

Detail of Pictures on Ancient Vases -- Hamilton's Vases

Greek painting survives mainly in painted vases, which recorded scenes of daily life, as well as stories from Greek mythology and history. Prominent collector Sir William Hamilton published extensive collections of prints reproducing the paintings on such vases (above).
Stuart and Revett's highly influential architectural book, The Antiquities of Athens (1762), was the first accurate survey of ancient Athenian architecture, anticipating the Grecian Revival style in England in the early 19th C. At right is a plate of the Tower of the Winds, which they excavated and recorded in the book.
Giovanni Battista Piranesi was one of the leading figures in the development of the neoclassical style in the 18th century. As architect, artist, designer, collector, and antiquities dealer, he and his son produced a series of etchings and engravings (above) depicting the glories of ancient Rome.	In the pre-photographic era, engravings of Greek and Roman statuary were created for documentation and study (above).

Myths & Legends Greco-Roman myths, legends and literature inspired artists from the Renaissance onward.

The Greek Muses.	The education of Achilles by a Centaur.	Hippocrates is shown refusing gifts brought by Alexander the Great.	Venus Presenting Helen To Paris.

Vincenzo Coronelli, Gli Argonauti [The Argonauts]

The mythic Greek maritime heroes Jason and the Argonauts remained popular symbols of navigation centuries later. The first geographic society, founded by 17th-century geographer Vincenzo Coronelli, was named for the "Argonauti." In 1695 he illustrated a scene from Jason's tale (left). The Argonauts were also the theme of this 20th-century Art Deco plaque (right).

Giulio Romano used the popular Renaissance motif of the conquering Cupid in a fresco panel, reproduced in this early 19th C. print.	This 19th C. manuscript illustrates the zodiac signs, which are based on Greek mythology.	After Farinati, a scene from the tale of Phaeton, son of Helios	All Olympus in a Hubbub by Renaissance master Raphael.

Mapping the Ancient World
	The 16th century Dutch cartographer Abraham Ortelius showed the extent of the ancient Roman Empire in the map at left.