The Art of Antiquity

Fifty years ago the State Antiquities Collections—restored after the destruction of the war—were reopened to the public. Since then this incomparable German museum has presented unique exhibitions of vases, bronzes, statues, and jewelry. This volume uses these masterpieces to provide an overview of the development of ancient art over the span of more than 3000 years—from the Cyclades to the works of Late Antiquity. Florian S. Knauß, the director of the State Antiquities Collections, has brought together in this 4-color book a selection of ancient art work that doesn’t just provide a lively impression of this world-class and unparalleled collection. Rather, it offers a cohesive presentation of ancient art history through these fascinating objects and offers an explanation of the stories they tell us—about gods and heroes, about rulers and craftsmen. Knauß invites us into his school of seeing and teaches us to understand the art of the ancient world as a familiar strangeness. Florian S. Knauß is a Classical archeologist and has been the director of the State Antiquities Collections and Glyptothek in Munich since 2011.