The Art Museum Collection

The Art Museum Collection

The Art Museum Collection consists of selected works of art from the Greek, Roman, Islamic, Chinese, Gothic or Late Middle Ages, and Baroque time periods. These works of art are among the greatest in the history of mankind.

Greek Parthenon
The ancient Greek Parthenon was built by Pericles in the 5th century, designed by Iktinos and Kallikrates, decorated by Phidias, and represents Classical Greek architecture. This building embodies the ideas of the Greek people in that it was a tribute to their Goddess Athena: Goddess of War, Wisdom, and Reason. They wanted the building to be the best that it could be and used the best materials that were available at that time. The Parthenon was located in the center of town at the highest point as a tribute and monument to their Goddess. It was built using a precise scale called the “Golden Section, the width of the building is 1.618 times the height, a ratio of approximately 8.5, Plato regarded this ratio as a key to understanding the cosmos.” (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 70).
The Parthenon is a fine example of the Greek people’s proud history and their love of their goddess. The Parthenon is considered by many to be “the paradigm of perfection.” (Benton & DiYanni, 2008, p. 70).   To honor their goddess with perfection was the best that the Greek people could offer.

Roman Colosseum
The ancient Roman Colosseum, built between 70 and 72 AD, was started under the emperor Vespasian and completed under Titus; and, it is an example of the finest of Roman architecture and engineering. It is an amphitheatre that was capable of seating approximately 80,000 people. The Colosseum also illustrates one of the most famous inventions of the Romans, that of concrete. (Alchin, 2008).
The Colosseum shows the Roman’s peoples desire to show off their might by building the largest amphitheatre they could. It also demonstrates the importance that the Roman’s put on providing entertainment to the people and in providing a...