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Art, Prehistoric and Ancient

55m 16s

As the Ice Age glaciers melted, European civilization was born—and with it, so was art. From the Stone Age came prehistoric art: mysterious tombs, mighty megaliths, and vivid cave paintings. Then the Egyptians and the Greeks laid the foundations of Western art—creating a world of magical gods, massive pyramids, sun-splashed temples, and ever-more-lifelike statues.

Aired: 03/31/23 | Expires: 05/30/23
Distributed nationally by American Public Television
Extras
Join Rick Steves on an alpine adventure, from Italy to Austria to Switzerland to France.
We marvel at Stone Age cave paintings, mighty megaliths, and mysterious goddesses.
Early Europeans produce diverse art: from Christians to Muslims and Byzantines to Vikings.
The grand cities of ancient Rome’s vast empire and majestic churches of its fall.
The rise and fall of Rome through its architecture and art (statues, mosaics, frescoes).
Romanticism, Impressionism, Art Nouveau; Cubism (Picasso) and Surrealism (Dalí).
Art of Europe’s “Age of Faith”: Romanesque, Gothic, Byzantine, Moorish, and even Viking.
Bubbly Baroque art and austere Neoclassicism; divine kings, Revolution, and Napoleon.
Groundbreaking statues, paintings, and architecture—humanism in Florence and beyond.
This special is a sonnet to travel as Rick celebrates the joy of exploring our world.
All
  • All
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 12
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 11
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 10
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 9
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 8
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 7
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 6
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 5
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 4
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 3
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 2
  • Rick Steves' Europe Season 1
Greece’s timeless art: Golden Age temples, alluring Venuses, and exuberant Winged Victory.
We marvel at Stone Age cave paintings, mighty megaliths, and mysterious goddesses.
Early Europeans produce diverse art: from Christians to Muslims and Byzantines to Vikings.
Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.
The turbulent century and its rule-breaking art—Picasso, Surrealism and edgy architecture.
Shimmering Impressionist canvases by Monet and Renoir, plus Van Gogh, Gauguin and more.
From Portugal to Germany, booming economies and new technologies produce exquisite art.
We marvel at Baroque’s over-the-top churches, palaces, bubbly fountains, and theatric art.
Florence’s bold “rebirth” is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.
The grand cities of ancient Rome’s vast empire and majestic churches of its fall.