The History of Western Art: From Antiquity Through the Middle Ages
Dec 12, 2026, 1:00 PM ET<a href="https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-western-art?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/history-of-western-art?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223">smithsonianassociates.org…</a>
From prehistoric cave paintings and the monuments of the ancient world to the churches and cathedrals of medieval Europe, artists created works that reflected the beliefs, values, and societies of their time while establishing traditions that continue to shape art today. In a two-part series, art historian Janetta Rebold Benton offers a broad overview of the major works of architecture, sculpture, and painting created in the Western tradition before the Renaissance, from prehistoric art and the ancient world through Early Christian, Byzantine, and medieval traditions, exploring how historical, social, and religious forces shaped these masterpieces. ( World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)