Keeper, Denys Haynes. Fifty Masterpieces of Classical Art in the British Museum. London: The Trustees of the British Museum, 1970.
This book begins with a timeline comparing Greek historical events with cultural developments. This part of the book was valuable to me because it put events into perspective. Before reading this, I was unsure of when certain events took place. After reading this, I had a better understanding of what artworks were produced during a certain time in Greek history. One example is the sacking of Greece by the Romans for its artwork. I knew of this event, but did not know exactly when it happened and its results. After studying the timeline, the remainder of the book is a monograph with brief descriptions accompanying the artwork presented. Each description tells the object's date of creation, place of origin, and function.
Figure 1: Porch of Maidens, Erechtheum, Athens. 420 BC.
An example of one description is of the Erechtheum's Porch of Maidens on the Acropolis (figures 1 and 2).
Figure 2: Caryatid Columns From the South Porch of the Erechtheum, Athens. 420 BC. Pentelic Marble (Ht. 7'7")
Keeper writes,
The Erechtheum - the small Ionic temple on the north side of the Athenian Acropolis - was also part of Pericles' build-programme, but it was not actually built until 421-406 BC. when Pericles was already dead and Athens was engaged in the life-and-death struggle with Sparta known as the Peloponnesian War. Designed to accomodate several ancient cults in one structure, the Erechtheum has an unusual plan with porches projecting from its northand south flanks as well as at its east end. The south porch is remarkable for having its roof supported not by columns but by six marble statues of girls or Caryatids. (p.29)
I enjoyed this book and found it relaxing to read. There is not much reading involved, other than short descriptions of the artwork similar to the example above. I liked that the author included a time and place with all of his descriptions. This book has shown me the importance of art to a culture. Many pieces directly show everyday events that are also linked to cultural values. In the example above, the figures are working together to support the building. This is a reflection of man working together to support the community. Without the figures, or if one figure were missing, the building would collapse. The figures are also shaped similar to a column by their upright, straight, tall, and majestic appearance.
The photographs in the book were large, and of good quality (even for the 70's), which made it easier to admire the artwork represented. I was glad to see that the author focused on lesser-known artworks from the British Collection rather than using more popular pieces. This book would have become redundant and boring to me, had the author chosen more popular pieces.