Exhibition of Ancient Bronze Sculpture Brings Together Bryn Mawr Archaeologists
A recent exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. offered a rare opportunity to see some 50 examples of surviving bronze sculpture from the Hellenistic era. The exhibition also provided a unique opportunity for many current and former members of the Department of Archaeology at Bryn Mawr, who were brought together during an international, two-day symposium (March 18-19) on the themes presented in Power and Pathos: Bronze Sculpture of the Hellenistic World.
Professor Emerita Brunilde Ridgway was a major impetus for the mini-reunion. She closed both days of the Symposium with remarks delivered, according to one alumna, “without notes and as brilliant as ever—it was like listening to her 40 years ago.” Alumna Carol Mattusch (A.B. ’69) served as a consultant to the exhibition itself and was a major contributor to its catalogue.
Following the close of the Symposium, Bryn Mawr Archaeology Professor Peter Magee organized a major reunion dinner for the group. The Bryn Mawr contingent was also treated to a private tour of the exhibition during off-hours, which featured a special presentation by Professor Magee on one of the rare objects and many additional comments from Professor Ridgway and exhibition consultant Mattusch as well as another current Bryn Mawr Archaeology Professor Astrid Lindenlauf.
Other attendees included Bryn Mawr Archaeology Professor Alice Donohue, many recent graduates and current graduate students, and such alumni/ae as Richard De Puma (Ph.D. ’69), Mary Sturgeon (Ph.D. ’71), Pamela Webb (Ph.D. ’89), Ann-Marie Knoblauch (Ph.D. ’97), Kim Hartswick (Ph.D. ’84), Alexis Castor (Ph.D. ’99), Clay Cofer (Ph.D. ’15), and Camilla MacKay (A.B. Greek ’91, head of Carpenter Library).