The Modernity of Ancient Sculpture: Greek Sculpture and Modern Art from Winckelmann to Picasso

What can modern art have to do with ancient sculpture? Surely the excitement of modern art lies in its utter repudiation of classical example? Elizabeth Prettejohn's important and revisionist new book argues otherwise: that ancient sculpture and modern art have been in constant dialogue since Johann Joachim Winckelmann invented the modern discipline of art history. It shows how ancient sculptures could inspire artists such as Rodin, Leighton or Picasso, and how modern artworks could help to interpret sculptors such as Pheidias and Praxiteles. The Modernity of Ancient Sculpture will have strong appeal to students of modern art and the classics alike.

Elizabeth Prettejohn formerly Professor of History of Art at the University of Bristol, is now Professor of History of Art at the University of York. Her books include The Art of the Pre- Raphaelites (2000), Beauty and Art 1750-2000 (2005) and Art for Art’s Sake: Aestheticism in Victorian Painting (2007). She has co-curated major International exhibitions on Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1996-97), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (2003-04) and John William Waterhouse (2008-10).