Ancient stories in clay: Greek, Moche, and Maya painted ceramics within one book

Saunders, D., O’Neil, M. E. (eds.), 2024, Picture Worlds: Storytelling on Greek, Moche, and Maya Pottery. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum.

Abstract

“Picture Worlds: Narratives in Greek, Moche, and Maya Pottery,” edited by David Saunders and Megan E. O'Neil, is a catalog published to accompany the 2023 exhibition at the Getty Museum and the Michael C. Carlos Museum. The publication's main appeal is its unusual approach, combining three distinct cultural traditions into one comprehensive work. By exploring the context and characteristics of ceramic production in each culture, the authors highlight both commonalities and unique aspects of the ceramic work in these three cultures. Significant attention is given to iconography, the analysis of storytelling formats, and styles depicted on ceramic pieces. The book includes a wealth of high-quality illustrations, making it valuable for both general readers and professional researchers. This review summarizes the authors’ key ideas, analyzes the book’s structure, and assesses its strengths and weaknesses.