Nikolaus Himmelmann is a distinguished scholar who has written extensively on Greek and Roman art and the reception of ancient art in the post-antique world. His works have been translated from their original German into many languages, but this is the first translation of his seminal writings into English. Their primary theme is the manner in which ancient art communicated in its time and how modern cultures have dealt with the fundamentally ambiguous characteristics of ancient art. The work contained here provides an indispensable introduction to Himmelmann's critical approach to Greek art and to the function of art in any society. Reading Greek Art amplifies the original essays by adding up-to-date references, additional illustrations, and considered groupings of related articles. The collection demonstrates not only Himmelmann's wide-ranging interests but also the overall coherence of his thought and vision.

The book is divided into two parts. The first focuses on the correlation of form and content in Greek painting and sculpture. The second presents Himmelmann's reflections on both a method of approach to works of ancient art and the role of antiquity in contemporary society. For many years, the difficulty of reading Himmelmann in his native German has been a barrier for both students and professionals. The translation of his most significant work into English is a major contribution to scholarship in several academic fields, including art history, ancient history, archaeology, and social and cultural history.