Is this art Celtic? It’s complicated.

The Harvard Art Museums are challenging long-held assumptions about the art of ancient Europe with a groundbreaking exhibition titled "Celtic Art Across the Ages." This first-of-its-kind show delves into the artistic contributions of the diverse group known as the Celts, who inhabited Britain, Ireland, and a significant portion of continental Europe. While most people associate the art of ancient Europe with the realistic styles of the Greeks and Romans, the exhibition aims to highlight the rich and complex history of Celtic art, from the Iron Age to the early medieval period, and even into the Celtic Revival of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as more recent times.

Curator Susanne Ebbinghaus, the George M.A. Hanfmann Curator of Ancient Art and Head of the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art, noted that archaeology and art history in the United States are heavily focused on Greece and Rome. She explained, "I thought, 'Oh, it would be amazing to bring some of these objects here.'" The exhibition seeks to separate the clichés about Celts from the art that has been labeled as Celtic. Penny Coombe, the Kelekian Curatorial Fellow in Ancient Art, emphasized this intention, stating, "We're deliberately trying to separate the clichés about Celts from art that has been called Celtic."

The exhibit also examines the evolution of imagery and ideas in the region amid the spread of Roman rule. Laure Marest, the Damarete Associate Curator of Ancient Coins, explained that the show aims to question assumptions about long-held artistic narratives. She pointed out that history is often written by the winners, and the themes of Greek and Roman art have been revered for a long time by Western audiences. However, Celtic art, which coexisted alongside them, is different. Marest was struck by how contemporary some of the pieces feel, with their reliance on abstraction and intricate designs.

The "Celtic Art Across the Ages" exhibition not only showcases the artistic achievements of the Celts but also challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of ancient European art. By presenting a diverse range of objects and periods, the exhibition invites audiences to explore the complexity and richness of Celtic culture and its artistic expressions. This groundbreaking show at the Harvard Art Museums offers a fresh perspective on the art of ancient Europe, breaking away from the traditional focus on Greek and Roman influences and highlighting the unique contributions of the Celts.