What used the ancient Greek sculptors to give color to sculptures

The ancient statues at the time of their creation were not as pale as now. Using a set of different techniques, the classical archaeologist Vincent Brinkmann restored the original appearance of some Greek and Roman statues.

Ancient polychromy

The original painting of antique statues was so unique in style and bright colors that people who are accustomed to seeing these art objects in the form in which they are exhibited today, it is difficult to imagine the scale of the differences.

After a detailed analysis of the sculptures of the classical period, Brinkmann and his team created and manually colored their small copies to show the world how vivid their ancient Greeks and Romans had seen. The color was dominated by bright blue, red, pink and gold shades. To the modern viewer the vision of ancient artists may seem too catchy and even tasteless. However, as the great wisdom says, "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."

Light rays

Archaeologists use a whole set of techniques that allow them to look into the past and see exactly how antique sculptures looked. One of such techniques is the determination of the pattern by means of light rays.

By directing light on a certain segment of the surface of the statue, scientists can consider small irregularities on the stone, bronze or other materials from which the sculptures were made. These irregularities were formed during millennia, which have passed since the creation of the studied art objects. It turns out that the layer of paint applied to the surface not only adorned the statue, but also protected it from the harmful effects of the environment.

Small irregularities and cavities in the material indicate those places where there was no paint. Despite the fact that this technique does not allow us to know the color of the pigments used, it perfectly shows those parts of the statue to which the paint was applied, and even helps to define the pattern.

Ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet rays can also tell a lot about the original form of classical sculptures. With their help, more detailed patterns appear. Since in the classical period all the coloring pigments were of organic origin, the remaining traces of them react to the ultraviolet, reflecting it.

This technique is used by experts, appraisers and museum workers to confirm that old paintings, frescoes and other art objects have not been fabricated, as later pigment pigments contain more inorganic substances.

Unfortunately, the use of ultraviolet rays does not allow to determine the exact color of the pigments left in cracks and irregularities on the surface of the statues, which is why archaeologists resort to the latest, most effective technique.

X-ray and infrared radiation

When the presence of the paint has already been proven and the pattern is determined, scientists use X-rays and infrared rays to find out the color of the pigments. Pigments were extracted in the classical period (up to the XVII century) from plant, animal and mineral materials. All of them differently reflect electromagnetic radiation, which allows scientists to determine which pigments, and accordingly colors, were used on which part of the statue.

By irradiating ancient sculptures with different types of radiation, archeologists are more likely to determine the type of pigment, color, brightness and saturation of the shade used. These data allow them to accurately restore the original appearance of the statues of the classical period. Honestly, this kind makes us think deeply about the superiority of ancient art (Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome) over the modern.

In any case, regardless of the opinion of the public and experts, the scientific methods used in the process of sculpture restoration are capable of admiring, even if it was not possible for the sculptures themselves.