PODCAST · arts
Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds
by Lucas Livingston, Ancient Art Podcast
Ancient Worlds is the audio series of the Ancient Art Podcast where we choose a single work of art as a launchpad for inspiration. Here we unpack the stories, history, myths, and culture from antiquity through a modern lens and with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The Ancient Art Podcast explores the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World with host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.
Episodes
-
Egyptomania, the Early Years – Piranesi, Gerome, Desprez (93)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/93 This short excerpt from my lecture on the art and history of the Egyptomania phenomenon delves into its early origins. As Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, Egyptian antiquities pillaged during the Roman Empire were excavated from their slumber under Roman soil…
more -
One Ring to Rule Them All (92)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/92 This extended episode takes us on an unexpected journey across the Art Institute of Chicago to explore the artistry and influences of rings. We go well beyond personal adornment and discuss the significance and many meanings of "ring" as it appears in visual…
more -
Japanese Ukiyo-e Pictures of the Floating World (91)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/91 In this excerpt from my lecture on the Art Institute's recent special exhibition Painting the Floating World: Ukiyo-e Masterpieces from the Weston Collection, I set the stage for what was Japan's Floating World culture during the Edo Period of the Tokugawa…
more -
Dionysus and the Pirates, the Dionysus Cup by Exekias (90)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/90 In yet another nod to alcoholic inebriation's polymorphic magical potency, we encounter one of my favorite tales of the god of wine, ecstasy, reverie, and madness ... Dionysus. Here we learn the tale of Dionysus versus the Pirates as originally recounted in Homeric...
-
Adventures of Ulysses in an Italian Renaissance Hope Chest (89)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/89 In this excerpt from a recent tour, I explore some of the highlights from Homer's Odyssey in a 15th century Florentine painting and learn a little about Italian Renaissance marriage and fidelity. Names and terms dropped: Homer, Odysseus, Penelope, Nausica, cyclops,...
-
Tibetan Mandalas (88)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/88 In this short excerpt from my lecture on Tibetan Buddhist art, we skim the surface of the spiritual meaning, function, and structure of Tibetan mandalas. For images of the featured works of art, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/88. Featured Works of Art: Drepung...
-
Circe and Witchcraft in Ancient Greece (87)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/87 This is a short excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts." Herein we explore the ancient Greek tradition of witchcraft and metamorphosis in two images — one ancient and one modern — of Circe, the definitive witch…
more -
Goya's Caprices and the Wicked Witch of the West (86)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/86 Happy Halloween! In this very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts," we introduce Goya's 1797/99 published volume The Caprices (Los Caprichos). This tome of nightmares, witches, and devils satirizes…
more -
Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld (85)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/85 A very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts!" Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld and holds a seance with the souls of Hades through necromantic blood magic so the countless shades of the dead and the…
more -
Birth of Dionysus (84)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/84 Diving head first into the many myths of the celebrated god of wine, ecstasy, theater, and madness, episode 84 of the Ancient Art Podcast's Ancient Worlds series explores The Birth of Dionysus. Drawing inspiration from the famed sculpture Hermes and the Infant...
-
Dragons and Tigers (83)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/83 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, we walk through two starkly contrasting Japanese folding screens celebrating the time-honored, iconic subjects of dragons and tigers with exceptional energy and dynamism. Features Works of Art: Kishi Ganku (1749-1838)...
-
Medicine Buddha Bhaishajyaguru - Meaningful Materials (82)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/82 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of the semi-precious blue stone lapis lazuli in a Tibetan painted…
more -
Chinese Jade - Meaningful Materials (81)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/81 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of Chinese jade — its symbolic and medicinal value, function,...
-
Incan Gold and Chicha Beer - Meaningful Materials (80)
http://ancientartpodcast.org/80 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of gold in Incan art and culture. We also discuss the traditional…
more -
Boli Ritual Object - Meaningful Materials (79)
ancientartpodcast.org/79 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Boli Ritual Object of the Bamana people in Mali, Africa. This recording...
-
African Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure - Meaningful Materials (78)
ancientartpodcast.org/78 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure of the Vili people in central Africa. This...
-
African Congo Kuba Mukenga Mask - Meaningful Materials (77)
ancientartpodcast.org/77 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in an African Congolese ceremonial mask of the Kuba Kingdom. This recording...
-
Black Figure vs Red Figure Ancient Greek Vase Painting Techniques (76)
ancientartpodcast.org/76 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I discuss the techniques of Greek vase painting and the differences between the black-figure and red-figure styles. We also dip a toe into some Greek history, talk about the names of Greek vase painters, artists signing their...
-
Chinese Tang Funerary Figurines - Coloring the Past (75)
ancientartpodcast.org/75 Why are the heads, crowns, and hands of magnificent Tang Dynasty Chinese tomb figurines so startlingly bare compared to their brilliantly colored bodies? This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This...
-
Etruscan Gigantomachy, Gods vs Giants - Coloring the Past (74)
ancientartpodcast.org/74 We examine the use of color in ancient art to designate role, status, nature, and more, and discuss causes for the disappearance of polychromy in ancient art. Side note: Why does the Egyptian God Osiris sometimes appear with black skin and sometimes with green skin? Names...
-
Zeuxis and Parrhasius, Pliny the Elder, Roman Painting - Coloring the Past (73)
ancientartpodcast.org/73 Pliny the Elder shares with us the tale of dueling artists Zeuxis and Parrhasius as they battled for the title of who could paint a more beguilingly realistic trompe-l'oeil ("fools the eye") masterpiece. We also hear another short story of Zeuxis's dashed pride. This is…
more -
Tinted Venus - Painted Aphrodite - Coloring the Past (72)
ancientartpodcast.org/72 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we discuss the original polychromy of the famous Aphrodite of Knidos by…
more -
Cycladic Female Figure - Coloring the Past (71)
ancientartpodcast.org/71 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we explore the use of color on a Cycladic Statuette of a Female Figure from the...
-
70: Drinking along the Silk Road: Wine in China
ancientartpodcast.org/70 We dig up the dirt on vines and wines in China's Tang dynasty and beyond, explore the wares of our Central Asian caravan, marvel at the magnificent horses of the Fergana Valley, and sip the delicious nectar from the Grape Valley of the Flaming Mountains to the…
more -
69: On Ramp to the Silk Road
ancientartpodcast.org/69 In this episode, we trek along the dusty trails of the famed Silk Road. We meet some of the people traipsing this network, hitch a ride on a merchant's camel, pass by some pilgrims, and meet a young religious faith called Buddhism. And we'll look at a lot of ceramics....
-
Ten Years of the Ancient Art Podcast
Hey folks! This is Lucas Livingston from the Ancient Art Podcast, serving up hot meals of antiquity since 2006 with a healthy side of smack! Yeah, that's right. 10 years. A good decade now. Going way back to when smartphones were still cool and your friends were telling you all about why you…
more -
68 (HD): Hercules and Buddha Walk into a Bar
Last time in episode 67 we learned all about a Buddhist relief carving in the Art Institute of Chicago. We met two Buddhas — one legendary and one historical — Dipankara and Shakyamuni. Now the promised bombshell. The reason you all came back. This muscular, shaggy-bearded, club-wielding brute…
more -
67 (iPod): Buddha's Past Lives – Dipankara and Shakyamuni
Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include...
-
67 (HD): Buddha's Past Lives – Dipankara and Shakyamuni
Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include...
-
66 (iPod): Star Wars and Stupas
Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the…
more -
66 (HD): Star Wars and Stupas
Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the…
more -
65 (iPod): Gandharan Stupa Reliquary
Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the...
-
65 (HD): Gandharan Stupa Reliquary
Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the...
-
63 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: Greece and Rome
In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples...
-
63 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: Greece and Rome
In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples...
-
62 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: China
Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little…
more -
62 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: China
Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little…
more -
64 (iPod): Striding Horned Wild Man
Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient…
more -
64 (HD): Striding Horned Wild Man
Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient…
more -
61 (iPod): Dogs in Antiquity: Xoloitzcuintli & Colima
Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured...
-
61 (HD): Dogs in Antiquity: Xoloitzcuintli & Colima
Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured...
-
60 (iPod): Comets & Antiquity, Halley's Comet, ISON, Apophis, and More
It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious…
more -
60 (HD): Comets & Antiquity, Halley's Comet, ISON, Apophis, and More
It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious…
more -
59 (iPod): A Witches' Sabbath
Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist...
-
59 (HD): A Witches' Sabbath
Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist...
-
Curious
A short announcement about some changes to the Ancient Art Podcast. The Ancient Art Podcast and Curious.com have teamed up to host episodes of the podcast at Curious.com. Episodes now include quizzes, handouts, discussions, and more. Visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/curious to see more! You can...
-
58 (iPod): Lycurgus Cup
Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the...
-
58 (HD): Lycurgus Cup
Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the...
-
57 (iPod): Medusa Up Close and Personal
Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient...
-
57 (HD): Medusa Up Close and Personal
Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Ancient Worlds is the audio series of the Ancient Art Podcast where we choose a single work of art as a launchpad for inspiration. Here we unpack the stories, history, myths, and culture from antiquity through a modern lens and with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The Ancient Art Podcast explores the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World with host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.
HOSTED BY
Lucas Livingston, Ancient Art Podcast
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds have?
Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds currently has 164 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds about?
Ancient Worlds is the audio series of the Ancient Art Podcast where we choose a single work of art as a launchpad for inspiration. Here we unpack the stories, history, myths, and culture from antiquity through a modern lens and with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The Ancient Art Podcast explores...
How often does Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds release new episodes?
Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds publishes regularly with 164 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds?
You can listen to Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds?
Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds is created and hosted by Lucas Livingston, Ancient Art Podcast.
URL copied to clipboard!