Activities

• Collection: European Art
• Culture/Region: Rome
• Subject Area: History and Social Science, Visual Arts
• Grade Level: pre-K-5

Septimius Severus was born in North Africa around 145 CE and became emperor of Rome from 193–
211 CE. In 1967, VMFA bought a sculpture of Septimius Severus, and over the years, people began to wonder if the sculpture was entirely ancient. In 2008, scholars began to study the sculpture more closely and performed scientific tests to learn when the sculpture was made. These studies proved that the statue’s torso, upper legs and head were sculpted in ancient times, but the other parts were carved and added in the 1600s. Today, the statue of the emperor looks like it did in the 1600s.

• Collection: African Art
• Culture/Region: Africa
• Subject Area: Dance, Fine Arts, History and Social Science
• Grade Level: K-5

The Yoruba (yoroo-BUH) Egúngún (eh-goon-goon) masquerade is a festival that celebrates ancestors.
Ancestors are the people in your family who lived long ago. During these celebrations, dancers wear masks and perform to honor those who are no longer physically present. We think of masks as objects that cover faces only, but Egúngún masks—like many African masks—cover the dancers’ entire bodies. Egúngún masks are made out of many layers of fabric. Different generations of family members add more fabric to the mask to create the layering effect. During ceremonial dances, as the dancer spins, strips of fabric fly out dramatically representing the return of the ancestral spirits to the living community.

• Collection: Ancient Art, European Art
• Culture/Region: Greece
• Subject Area: Fine Arts, History and Social Science
• Grade Level: K-5

Like most societies, ancient Greeks used clay as a cheap and durable material to make plates, cups, pitchers, bowls, and storage vessels. The fanciest vessels were decorated with pictures of gods, heroes, animals, and daily life. Many of these pots were practical, but they were often discarded, lost, or placed in tombs as grave offerings. Centuries later, when archaeologists—people who study past cultures and civilizations—find these pots, they are often broken into fragments and missing parts. Through careful study and patience, many of the pots can be reassembled, allowing archaeologists and other scholars to learn more about how the ancient Greeks lived and what they believed.