Though the Parthenon Sculptures from ancient Greece were thought to be spotlessly white, a new study shows that these structures used to be vibrantly colored and covered with intricate patterns.
Parthenon Sculptures From Ancient Greece
The Parthenon Sculptures, also known as Elgin Marbles, were made by 2,500 outside of the Parthenon temple in Athens. They were created roughly 2,500 years ago. The sculptures consist of a series of metopes, figures of deities and heroes, and a frieze that depicts the Panathenaic festival's procession. The Panathenaic festival was a birthday commemoration for Athena.
At present, the sculptures are kept in the British Museum in London. Similar to several other ancient sculptures, the Parthenon Sculptures have a muted coating of beige, gray, and white.
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Vibrant Colors and Intricate Patterns
While this is how the Parthenon Sculptures appear to be at present, a new study reveals that they used to be coated with intricate patterns and vibrant colors. In fact, the sculptures used to be covered with vibrant purples, whites, and blues. These colors could have been used to depict water that certain figures rose from, a mysterious sea serpent's snakeskin, figurative patterns on deity robes, and the empty air space.
The researchers detailed these findings in a study. Conservation scientists Giovanni Verri from the Art Institute of Chicago explains that these sculptures are considered an ancient art pinnacle that has been an object of study for centuries. However, despite being a long-standing focus, no color traces were picked up and minimal remains known about the carving of these sculptures.
It has been a long-standing assumption of archaeologists that the statues were intentionally left white as paint does not last long atop marble surfaces and since the surface of the sculptures were not prepared for substance adhesion. Because of this, historical restorations even took away paint traces found over the sculptures.
For this study, the archaeologists made use of luminescent imaging, which enables traces of chemical elements from paint to glow. The team then found hidden patterns over the surfaces of the statue. They discovered figurative patterns and floral designs.
The researchers also found four primary pigments: Egyptian blue that ancient Romans and Greeks used, purple tint from an unknown recipe, and two whites from gypsum mineral and bone ash pigment. The researchers explain that these colors could have been as important as the carving.
The authors also discovered paint traces on the sculptures' back, which showed that they may have been contemporary to the building. These sculptures were likely painted first before being placed on the temple.
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