Ancient and Byzantine

The collection of the Art Institute’s Department of Ancient and Byzantine Art spans nearly 4,000 years and is comprised of significant artworks from ancient Near Eastern, Byzantine, Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman cultures. Highlights of the department's 5,000 objects include sculpture in stone, terracotta, and bronze, as well as vases, mosaics, glass, jewelry, and coins of outstanding quality. Together they offer a comprehensive survey of the art of the ancient and medieval Mediterranean world.

Collection Updates

To ensure that your museum experience meets your expectations, check our Collection Updates page to learn about gallery closures and major artworks that may be off view during your visit.

Related links

LaunchPad in the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art—A multimedia program with a wide range of information about ancient artworks on view available on digital kiosks in the galleries.

Classical Art Society

Cleopatra—This bilingual (English/Spanish) program allows visitors to investigate how and why artists made works of art.

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