Ancient Greek and Roman Statues were Painted
Unveiling the Colorful Past of Classical Sculptures
When looking at Ancient Greece and Rome, one of the first things that comes to mind is the iconic, white marble statues.
While certainly elegant, the visual of white marble is far from accurate. Much of this comes from our current cultural views of Antiquity, as well as outdated archaeological methods.
Many of the most iconic marble statues were originally painted using colorful pigments.
These findings may shock many readers, but it is important to understand the cultures and attitudes of the Greeks and Romans.
They painted marble statues?
Yes, they were painted. Research has shown that many statues, previously assumed to be white, are full of many different pigments.
This would make sense given the vast amounts of colors found in many Greek and Roman art and frescos as well as architecture.
Through research, archaeologists have shown how many of Antiquity’s most famous statues had painted skin, hair, and outfits.
Many modern constructions have attempted to recreate what the statues would have likely looked like.
It’s important to note that the research around this is constantly changing as archaeologists’ knowledge of the methods and materials used by the Greeks and Romans improves.
Evidence to support painted statues
Much of the evidence supporting the painted statues theory has been there all along. Paint fragments and residues have been found along the crevasses of many statues.
In a CBS interview with the Chief Scientist of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Marco Leona, he explains
The evidence is right there … if you just look hard enough. The specks, Leona said, are “still the original color, which gives a sense of what she would have looked like.”
Research methods involve the use of various types of microscopes to detect traces of different pigments.
Other methods include multi-spectral photography and physical-chemical methods that analyze different color pigmentations.
Not only is there modern evidence but there are also contemporary accounts by Romans mentioning the color of statues.
Pliny the Elder writes in his Natural History
Statuary has undergone changes in our own day, even at Rome, where portraits, more especially, have been left in their natural color. This was the result of the practice introduced in painting, of representing statues in encaustic.
White Marble comes from the Renaissance
The idea of the statues of ancient Greece and Rome being white largely comes from the Renaissance.
Many of the sculptors of the time (Michelangelo and Donatello) saw the excavated statues that already had all of their paint worn away.
In the same CBS interview mentioned earlier, Chief Scientist, Leona, responds to the question
If sculptors like Michelangelo were inspired by the Greeks, by the Romans, why didn’t they, too, paint their sculptures?
Because they never saw the paint on that sculpture…
The lack of paint on the original statues most likely comes from the packed dirt wearing down the statues as they were buried. As well as the original excavators most likely scrubbing off any remaining paint.
These ideas would be further established in later perceptions of Antiquity, with the author of Theory of Colors, Goethe, writing
…people of refinement avoid vivid colors in their dress and the objects that are about them.
Given the circumstances of how the statues were discovered as well as Renaissance artists interpreting what they saw, it is natural to conclude the Greeks and Romans kept their statues the marble white color.
Furthering research
While much progress has been made in the research of the statues, there is still much to be done. Specifically with the methods by which the paint is sourced and made.
Many assumptions are made when it comes to the strength and shading of pigments on the statues. Trial and error is an essential part of the process for many of the researchers.
To paint or not to paint?
A natural question to ask about these statues is how we should view them in the modern day. Should all the statues be viewed in full color? Does that discredit the characteristically white marble art and architecture inspired by Antiquity?
In my opinion, the answer to both questions is an astounding No.
The colorful statues are part of Ancient Greece and Rome’s history, they reflect a lot of the moods and emotions felt within their perspective societies.
That being said, the white marble we are used to seeing is no less beautiful or refined. Both have their place in art and history.
However, some researchers have contrasting opinions. In an interview with the New Yorker, Danish Polychromy researcher Jan Stubbe Østergaard said
Saying you’ve seen these sculptures when you’ve seen only the white marble is comparable to somebody coming from the beach and saying they’ve seen a whale because there was a skeleton on the beach.
Personally, I enjoy both types of statues. The color shows the emotions and captures the historical details of their subjects. While the white statues display the amazing craftsmanship of the sculptors.
Final thoughts
What I love about history and archaeology is how it always changes our assumptions about the past.
Through research, we can see that Greeks and Romans were fun and colorful in their everyday lives.
It begs the question of what other parts of our history have been lost to misinterpretation.
Until next time…
