John Boardman, one of the best known and acknowledged scholars of the
classical Greek world, has updated his definitive survey of its arts,
the most influential and widely known historic artistic tradition of the
Old World. In the twenty years since the last edition was released,
valuable evidence has come to light which has dramatically enhanced our
understanding of the arts of ancient Greece and their influence.
It is now known that Greek artists completed their stone sculptures with
realistic color, as well as working with a wealth of other materials.
This proves that the romantic notion of an age of classic, pure white
marble is a Renaissance construction which has persisted to the present
day. The work of individual artists, as well as schools of artists, can
be identified, creating a clearer picture than ever before of how art
and artistic traditions traveled throughout the Greek world and beyond
it.
Boardman encourages the reader to consider the masterpieces that have
been preserved in their original context. He weaves into his discussion
of the arts insights into the society that produced them. Illustrated in
full color throughout for the first time, this fifth edition
demonstrates yet more vividly the artistic aims and achievements of
ancient Greece.