A History of the Ancient Sculpture, Lucy M. Mitchell, 1883
 
Spanning from the colossal stone carvings of Egypt, Assyria, and Persia to the masterworks of Greece and Rome, this study maps out the entire trajectory of ancient sculpture. Instead of merely listing famous statues, the pages focus heavily on specific details—analyzing everything from the tomb reliefs of the Nile to the evolution of Greek drapery, the Parthenon marbles, and Roman portrait busts. The 1883 Dodd, Mead, and Company edition brings these descriptions to life with dozens of detailed text woodcuts alongside six delicate, standalone phototype plates that captured the fine textures of the original marbles.
 
Mitchell's work is also highly significant because of her place in academic history. She was one of the first American women to write an independent, major survey of ancient art, breaking into a field that was almost entirely male-dominated in the 19th century. Rather than just summarizing popular opinions, she directly cross-referenced European archaeological excavations and classical texts. The result is a book that serves as both a detailed art history reference and a direct look at how the field of archaeology was developing in the late 1800s.

We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal.