The idea of viewing systematically world art from a single moment in time offers an extraordinary opportunity to consider the prospect of a world art history that parallels an emerging subdiscipline of history that has come to be called world history. It looks at systems in an interlocked world, for example trade in sugar or slaves. Recognizing that even in ancient times people moved over vast distances and carried with them ideas that influenced the production of art, the discipline of art history as well could develop a world art history. Such a subdiscipline, i.e. world art history, could do much to break down the geographic and chronological barriers we erect around our slices of art history and help us think of the dynamic that constructs both the production of art and its history. The Year One: Art of the Ancient World East and West is a step in this direction, although limitations imposed by the basis of the volume, an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, somewhat limit the horizon. The catalogue commences with an excellent introductory essay by Elizabeth Milleker, the volume’s editor. Although it might be described as somewhat Romanocentric, she most certainly takes a global...