Peter Stewart

Professor Peter Stewart is a leading scholar in ancient art history, currently serving as Professor of Ancient Art at the University of Oxford, Director of the Classical Art Research Centre (CARC), and a Fellow of Wolfson College. His academic journey includes roles at The Courtauld Institute of Art (Reader in Classical Art) and Reading University (Lecturer in Classics and Curator of the Ure Museum). Stewart specializes in Roman provincial art, Gandhara art, ancient Greek textiles, and cross-cultural artistic exchanges across Eurasia. He oversees the Beazley Archive at CARC, a pivotal resource for ancient art research.

His research focuses on sculptural traditions, material culture, and the reception of classical art. Notable works include Statues in Roman Society, The Social History of Roman Art, and Gandharan Art and the Classical World. He frequently publishes on Gandhara's artistic connections, Roman imperialism's artistic impacts, and the global dimensions of ancient art.

Teaching interests span Greek and Roman art and archaeology. Recent publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to Gandharan Buddhist contexts, Roman sarcophagi, and collecting practices. His work bridges archaeological evidence with cultural history, addressing themes like connoisseurship, provenance, and ancient aesthetics' contemporary relevance.

As CARC Director, Stewart coordinates international workshops on Gandhara's connections and supervises projects on sculpture collections like Wilton House's. His research highlights art as a medium of cultural dialogue, imperial control, and transregional exchange.