There is something endlessly fascinating about looking at old artefacts. Knowing that an object has survived through countless generations of human existence provides a window into another world, one that is long past.
So it is at Treasures: antiquities from Melbourne’s private collections exhibition on now at The Ian Potter Gallery of Art at The University of Melbourne.
Dr Andrew Jamieson is the curator of the gallery. He and his team have spent the last six months putting this collection together, over 70 works up to 5000 years old from Greece, Rome, Egypt and the Near East.
“People are attracted to artefacts, they lure us in and focus our attention. Ancient objects are powerful transmitters of information,” he says. “Even if we don’t know a lot about the object, it connects us with the past in ways that allow us to contemplate things like ‘who made it?’ and ‘what was it used for?'”
This is a particularly special exhibition because these works have all been assembled from private collections around Melbourne, so they are rarely given a public showing.
There are eleven collectors represented, all passionate about history and keen to share their enthusiasm.
Beyond antiquity, the unifying theme of the exhibition is quality: artistry and workmanship. Together the works present a broad canvas of the ancient and classical worlds. Among the artefacts on display are an excellent collection of Greek vases, some of the most distinctive and important hallmarks of the classical Greek world.
“It is well known that in ancient Athens, they perfected the art of vase painting. The vases on display demonstrate the technical skill of the Greek potters and painters, which was replicated and reproduced in many other regions beyond,” says Dr Jamieson.
It includes a very good selection of Attic Black-Figure vases from the 6th century and Red-Figure vases from the 4th century.
“For me, it is the subject matter of the Greek vases that is most appealing and interesting,” he continues. “They feature scenes from Greek mythology, gods and figures and scenes from everyday life. One of my favourite works shows the figure Dionysos, the god of the grape harvest, wine and wine making. He is a popular deity of Greek mythology and religion. The festivals of Dionysos influenced the development of Greek theatre.”
Dr Jamieson says he is impressed by the diversity and the rarity of the material that he has been able to assemble here.
“All the objects in the exhibition reflect the origins of Western civilisation. These artefacts bring the ancient world to life.”
‘Treasures: antiquities from Melbourne’s private collections’ is on at The Ian Potter Museum of Art at The University of Melbourne, Swanston St, Parkville, until 15 April 2012.