The Classical Art Society is dedicated to the study of the art of the ancient and medieval Mediterranean world, encouraging interest in the art of the ancient  Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, and Byzantine cultures. Founded in 1986, nearly 100 years after the Art Institute made its first acquisition—Greek vases and Roman sculpture—in 1889, the society focuses on the museum’s collection of ancient art, which has grown to include antiquities from Egypt and Etruria. With outstanding holdings of stone and bronze sculpture, ancient coins, early glass, decorative arts, and a world-famous collection of Greek vases, the collection provides museum visitors with a comprehensive survey of the art of the ancient Mediterranean world and beyond.

The Classical Art Society supports the museum’s collection of ancient art through an active member program:

Lectures

• Including an annual series of lectures by distinguished scholars from September to May.

International Symposia
Past topics include:

• "Marcus Aurelius and Portraits of Power"
• "Griffins and Gorgons: The Greek Encounter with the East"
• "Egypt and the Minoan World"

Special Events

• Gala marking the opening of the galleries of ancient art

Special Projects

• The loan and display of the Marcus Aurelius statue from the Pergamon Museum in Berlin
• The publication of the museum’s catalogue on the collection of ancient art

Travel

• Members have participated in international study trips to Berlin, Turkey, Sicily, Crete, and Northern Italy.
• With Art Institute curators, members have traveled to museums in New York City and southern California and visited special exhibitions, auction houses, and ancient art galleries.

Classical Art Society Member Levels

Individual $75
Couple $100
Contributing $200
Sponsor $500
Academic $45
Student $35

Membership in the Classical Art Society is open to all members of the Art Institute of Chicago. For information, please call (312) 443-3697 or send an e-mail to CAS@artic.edu.

_{Portrait Bust of a Woman. Rome, Italy, Antonine period (A.D. 138-192). Restricted gift of the Antiquarian Society in honor of Ian Wardropper, the Classical Art Society, Mr. and Mrs. Isak V. Gerson, James and Bonnie Pritchard, and Mrs. Hugo Sonnenschein; Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bro fund; Katherine K. Adler, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Alexander in honor of Ian Wardropper, David Earle III, William A. and Renda H. Lederer family, Chester D. Tripp and Jane B. Tripp endowments.}