Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity
Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity
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USDMyths inspired Greek and Roman artists to rise to the challenge of conveying flowing narratives in static form. This book describes the different ways painters, sculptors and other artists explored and exploited the dense forest of myth. It explains how formulas were devised for certain stories; how these could be adapted, developed and even transferred to other contexts; how one myth could be distinguished from another - or confused with it; how myths related to daily life or political propaganda; and the influence of evolving tastes. Written in a lively and accessible style, fully illustrated with examples drawn from a wide range of media, Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity provides fresh and stimulating insights into the representation of myths in Greek and Roman art.
- An original and wide-ranging approach to mythological illustration going beyond simply relating images to texts
- Treatment of many different media in both Greek and Roman art
- Development from simple concepts to increasingly complex ones in easily comprehended, non-technical language
Reviews & endorsements
"Susan Woodford has done it again. [S]he has produced another lucid and eminently readable book on the subject of ancient mythological iconography. [A] book devoted to describing the wonderful change from verbal to visual." Celica Milovanovic, Millersville University, The Classical Outlook
"As a whole, this is an important work that makes a significant contribution in analyzing the ways in which classical artists sought to render traditional narratives within the constraints of their selected media andd especially for the painstaking manner in which the various aspects of this endeavor, its successes and drawbacks, are elucidated for the student of classical myth." American Journal of Archaeology
"A rich and accessible treatment of a difficult topic." Judith M. Barringer, Classical World
"The book as a whole is a valuable contribution to the literature of myth and art. Layperson and specialist alike will find Woodford's discussion of the ways to approach and study the myth in ancient art very useful." - Phillip v. Stankley, San Francisco State University
Product details
December 2002Paperback
9780521788090
332 pages
255 × 179 × 24 mm
0.817kg
194 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. An Introduction:
- 1. Myths and images
- Part II. Transforming Words into Images:
- 2. Making myths recognisable
- 3. Choosing a moment
- 4. Epic expansiveness versus tragic focus
- Part III. Building Images:
- 5. Formulas and motifs
- 6. Transference of types
- 7. Creating compositions
- Part IV. Innovations, Developments and Connections:
- 8. Innovations inspired by poets
- 9. Innovations inspired by artists
- 10. Changing interests
- 11. History and myth in art
- 12. Life and myth in art
- Part V. Problems:
- 13. Showing what cannot be seen
- 14. Distinguishing one myth from another
- 15. Confusing one myth with another
- 16. Misunderstandings and muddles
- 17. Can the key to an image always be found?
- Glossary
- Appendices.
