Institute for the Study of the Ancient World

The Berthouville Treasure, the largest and best-preserved hoard of silver from the ancient world, presents an exceptional opportunity to consider different aspects of life and culture in the Roman Empire. This panel-style conversation about art, literature, and cultural history will contextualize the Berthouville Treasure within a broader framework of Gallo-Roman and Roman antiquity. Please join art historian Francesco de Angelis (Columbia University), literary scholar James Uden (Boston University), and cultural historian Andrew Johnston (Yale University) in a conversation moderated by Associate Director of Exhibitions and Gallery Curator Clare Fitzgerald (ISAW.)

Published 09/19/2018 — filed under: exhibition-event Located in Events Events Archive Academic Year 2018-2019

The Berthouville Treasure showcases the sophisticated silversmithing technologies employed by ancient artisans to create sumptuous silver sculpture and vessels. Found by chance in the 19th century, this collection has recently undergone extensive conservation and study using modern imaging technologies that revealed new information about the practice of individual artists and that of workshops in Gaul and Rome. Although silvermithing has evolved from how it was practiced in antiquity, much remains startlingly the same. Please join silversmith Wendy Yothers for a gallery conversation about the materials and processes used in ancient silversmithing and how Roman techniques compare with present-day metalworking practices.

Published 09/14/2018 — filed under: exhibition-event Located in Events Events Archive Academic Year 2018-2019

Please join illustrator and teaching artist Joan Chiverton for a morning of sketching in the galleries in conjunction with the exhibition Devotion and Decadence. Develop your drawing skills and discover a new way of seeing as you sketch Roman silver masterpieces and other ancient luxury objects. Following a brief introduction and tutorial, Ms. Chiverton will circulate the galleries and provide individual coaching, if desired. All skill levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Participants should bring their own drawing pad or paper with a board. Gallery specific pencils will be provided by ISAW. For conservation reasons pens, pastels, charcoal, and paints need to be kept at home.

Published 09/14/2018 — filed under: exhibition-event Located in Events Events Archive Academic Year 2018-2019

Join us in the galleries for a 20 minute in-depth discussion of a single object from Devotion and Decadence: The Berthouville Treasure and Roman Luxury. Every Wednesday from October 17 - December 19 we will focus on one object and explore its specific history, iconography, and manufacture in this brief lunchtime talk. Each discussion will feature a different object and visitors are welcome to return for a fresh conversation each week. Clare Fitzgerald is Associate Director for Exhibitions and Gallery Curator, and Rachel Herschman is Curatorial Assistant, both at ISAW.