Art in the Hellenistic Age

by J.J. Pollitt

'The best reason to study Hellenistic art is for its own sake' writes Professor Pollitt in the Preface to Art in the Hellenistic Age. 'But', he continues, 'I would suggest that there is an additional quality that should make the art of the Hellenistic age of particular interest to modern the fact that in background and content it was the product of an age in many ways similar to our own … The result of the historical conditions (of the age) was an art which, like much modern art, was heterogenous, often cosmopolitan, increasingly individualistic, and frequently elite in its appeal'. This 1986 book is an interpretative history of Greek art during the Hellenistic period - i.e. from the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC, to the establishment of the Roman Empire at the end of the first century BC - which also explores ways in which that art is an expression of the cultural experience and aspirations of the Hellenistic age.

Genres: Art History, Art, Archaeology, Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1986

Reviews

[Meghan Hannum · Rating 5 out of 5]

sorry just giving myself credit for the amount of reading and prep i did for comps 🥲🥲 i fucking love you JJ Pollitt rip king

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even with newer scholarship in Hellenistic art, Pollitt's book remains necessary reading on the topic. The book is incredibly thorough. My only wish is that there was a bit more discussion of the Hellenistic East.