Once a fringe area of study, these archaeologists' research on polychromy—or “many colors” in Greek—combats the misconception of white purity in ancient Greece and Rome.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Sopheap Pich on Vincent van Gogh's drawings
The Artist Project: Sopheap Pich on van ...
A taxidermy deer covered with crystals changes the way we look at reality
Kohei Nawa, PixCell-Deer#24
In the Third Intermediate Period, lapis represented two of Ptah's roles: that of creator of the world from a watery darkness, and Lord of the Sky.
Cult Image of the God Ptah
The precision of the line and the attention to texture allow this drawing to stand on its own as a finished work.
Groom and Rider drawing
This tradition of highly decorative saddles continues uninterrupted in Tibet for at least a thousand years.
Saddle (gser sga)
This rattle was used in a healing ceremony by the Tsimshian
Tsimshian shaman’s rattle
This Ancestral Puebloan jar was made to store good during a time of drought
Socorro black-on-white storage jar
A bag that belonged to the first ordained Native American Methodist minister
Anishinaabe shoulder bag
A Hopi blessing for a child's growth and prosperity, with a reminder to respect elders
White Ogre Tihu (Katsina Figure)
A drawing in pencil, ink, and watercolor over 8 feet long tells the story of the Battle of Little Bighorn
Mató Nájin/Standing Bear, Battle of Little Bighorn
A unique water jar from Acoma that features a pumpkin
Acoma polychrome water jar
It took Carrie Bethel 3 years to make this basket
Carrie Bethel, Basket bowl
A water jar made by a famous matriarch in Pueblo pottery
Nampeyo, Polacca polychrome water jar
The fascinating mystery behind the person who wore this gold piece
Clasp with an eagle and its prey
The celestial globe that features mythology, science and technology
Gerhard Emmoser, Celestial globe with clockwork
Why Peruvian fashion favored septum jewelry with spiders
Nose ornament with spiders
12 paintings by Shitao that take you on a journey
Shitao, Returning Home
ThisTang dynasty figure tells us something about human beauty & its moment in time
Figure of a seated court lady
A stunning tapestry woven by victims of religious persecution
Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!
