This seminar will explore ancient Mediterranean monuments and artworks and their resurgence in Neo-Classical art (reception). It will often juxtapose ‘old world’ and ‘new world’ art and architecture in an attempt to address issues of identity, politics, racism, gender, geopolitical aspects and much more. How and why did “classical” art impact that of the 18th-20th centuries? What visual systems were employed to express messages, myths and memory of colonialism, victory, oppression, freedom and liberty (just to name a few)? The class will focus on the common and distinct features of ancient and neoclassical monuments and how they were (and still are) revived and resurrected in the modern era. By addressing historical context and critically analyzing artistic programs, the class will confront and uncover the fascinating aspects of cultural appropriation of the ancient past. We will embark on a series of questions – for example: how does visual culture of the present work to propel and sustain certain political ideologies of the past? Why do major cities in Europe and the US display and celebrate architecture and artistic décor from the Greco-Roman world? Are monuments from the past still visual cues to myths and memory?

This course fulfills the following requirements for the History of Art major: Geographical area (A) or (C) and Chronological period (I) or (III), based on the topic of the final research paper or project.