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Ancient World Visual Art

The earliest humans created beautiful art long before they could write. Stone Age peoples carved and modeled small figurines of humans and animals, and Paleolithic cave paintings show the skill of ancient painters as they depicted the wildlife of the forests and plains. The historical period began in Sumer and Egypt, and the artists there emphasized figures of deities and rulers.

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Learn more about some of the influential works from the ancient world:

Venus of Willendorf (scuplture) Lascaux Cave (painting) Sargon of Akkad (sculpture) Palace of King Ashurbanipal (reliefs) Great Sphinx (Egyptian sculpture) Bust of Nefertiti (Egyptian sculpture) Mask of Tutankhamun (Egyptian sculpture) Tomb of Nebamun (Egyptian frescos)