Celtic arts: visual cultures and society in Western Europe, 5th-2nd c. BC 

“Celtic art” has traditionally been studied as a succession of styles, focusing on patterns rather than objects, contexts and social phenomena. A restricted number of items is generally considered, usually belonging to elite burials or without a context. This has led to a restrictive and biased definition of “Celtic art”, not taking into account its chronological, regional, material and social diversity. However, a much broader picture appears if we consider it as evidence for the visual culture of Iron Age communities. The links between stylistic and social changes contribute to understanding the diverse functions of La Tène art in time, space and context. Research perspectives are suggested for a different, more complex history of La Tène art.