• Director(s):

    LEMAITRE (OLIVIER)

  • Producer(s):

    SEQUANA MEDIA PRODUCTIONS, NDR, NHK

  • Territories:

    Worldwide.

  • Production year:

    2026

  • Language(s):

    German, English, French

  • Rights:

    TV, DVD, NON-THEATRICAL, INTERNET, VOD

Museums often display white ancient Greek artworks, linked to 19th-century European aesthetics, but science shows they were once colorful and gilded. New technologies are helping researchers uncover this forgotten polychromy, stirring both controversy and awe.

In the nineteenth century, researchers in Italy, Egypt, and Greece rushed to excavate archaeological sites, often washing ancient artifacts and stripping away their original colors. This reflected a period mindset that ignored the vibrant polychromy of the past. Today, scientists challenge this long-standing misconception, seeking to reveal the colorful truth of ancient art. Although clues have surfaced over time, the full spectrum of these works remains elusive. Using advanced technologies, researchers now are looking to understand the significance, techniques, and use of pigments in historical civilizations. Through interdisciplinary efforts, they reconstruct the original appearance of sites like ancient Knossos and the Parthenon marbles, as well as iconic sculptures like the Venus de Milo. By bringing these "bleached" masterpieces back to life in 3D and color, they offer a new perspective on the past. This ongoing investigation puts the spotlight on the work of ancient painters and invites us to see history through new, vivid lenses.