Roman Art

The collection of Roman art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the finest in the world. It contains more than 5,000 objects, including exquisite cameos, refined silver vessels and utensils, spectacular Pompeiian frescoes, monumental sculptures in stone and bronze and elaborate sarcophagi. This handsome guide features a selection of over 200 of the most important works that exemplify this rich and diverse collection, each presented in detail and illustrated with stunning colour photography. Every work is accompanied by an engaging text written by prominent scholars that establishes the object’s significance in antiquity, providing new insight for a contemporary understanding of ancient Roman art.

Paul Zanker is a renowned authority on Roman art. Seán Hemingway is John A. and Carole O. Moran Curator in Charge, Christopher S. Lightfoot is curator and Joan R. Mertens is curator, all in the Department of Greek and Roman Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.