Classical statues were not painted horribly
16 hours ago
- #ancient art
- #art history
- #polychromy
- Modern viewers often dislike painted reconstructions of Greek and Roman statues, but the essay argues this is due to poor reconstructions rather than differing tastes.
- Ancient Greek and Roman art is generally admired today, with many surviving works still considered beautiful despite wear and tear.
- Most ancient statues were originally painted (polychromatic), but the paint has deteriorated over time, leaving them monochromatic.
- Modern reconstructions of these statues, like Vinzenz Brinkmann's 'Gods in Color,' often appear garish and unappealing to contemporary viewers.
- The common explanation for this dislike is that modern tastes differ from ancient ones, but the essay disputes this, pointing to ancient depictions of statues and other art forms that show more subtle and appealing use of color.
- The essay suggests that the reconstructions are poorly executed, lacking the skill and nuance of ancient artists, and may not accurately reflect the original appearance of the statues.
- Another factor is that reconstructions are limited by conservation doctrines, which only allow features with direct archaeological evidence, often resulting in incomplete or unattractive results.
- The essay raises the possibility that some reconstructors may be intentionally creating garish reconstructions to generate public interest, even if they know the results are inaccurate.
- While these reconstructions have succeeded in raising awareness about ancient polychromy, they may also undermine trust in experts by presenting misleading information.