The role of science for the understanding of the original appearance and function of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture
Dr. Giovanni Verri
The Art Institute of Chicago
It has long been established that ancient marble sculpture was coloured with paint, also known as polychromy. However, its exact original appearance—e.g. when it was considered finished by its creators—remains largely elusive. One reason is that, if at all, only miniscule traces of paint normally survive in archaeological contexts; the interpretation of these small traces is a task fraught with difficulties. The considerable chronological and geographical span, and cultural diversity of the ancient world further complicates comparisons amongst the few case studies where remnants of colour survive. Importantly, the function played by a particular choice of polychromy within its cultural context remains virtually unexplored. Therefore, scholars face considerable complexities when extrapolating information from small traces of paint to recreate full reconstructions of ancient sculptural polychromy.
Nonetheless, technological advances in material studies allow for unparalleled insights into artistic production across different media, such as sculpture, painting, textiles and ceramics, adding terms of comparison for the interpretation of ancient polychromy. A multidisciplinary approach, including insights from scientific analysis, literature and archaeology, can further augment our understanding of the role that colour played in sculpture in its broader cultural contexts.
In this presentation, material analysis is considered as the starting point for the investigation of the painted surfaces of ancient sculpture. As this presentation will demonstrate, the role of science is not limited to material identification. Science allows for drawing connections among different media and disciplines, thus elevating our understanding of ancient polychromy within its broader context and bringing us closer to ancient sculpture’s original appearance and function.
Hosted by Dr. Manukyan