ARTE Distribution

Museums and monuments give visitors the opportunity to contemplate ancient Greek works in sparkling white. Yet science reveals what time has erased from the colossi to the facades of temples and statues: a profusion of gold and colors. With the help of new technologies and through experiments, researchers are trying, between controversy and amazement of the public, to tell us this other story in polychromy. 
 

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.