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Colors of Classical Art
Colors of Classical Art
The classical tradition as embodied by the arts of ancient Greece and
Rome is typically characterized by its idealized forms, naturalism, and
interest in the human figure. In the eyes of most viewers today, color
plays a limited role in this aesthetic—pristine white marble
characterizes temples and statues, and a palette of black and red
defines Greek pottery. This perception, however, is inaccurate, and
there is increasing evidence that the cities and houses of the Greeks
and Romans were once full of color: statues and marble buildings were
richly painted, the surfaces of bronze statues and objects were
manipulated to vary and modify their colors, and even the black and red
pottery traditions were more varied than they first appear. In addition,
colorful objects that were made from perishable materials, such as
textiles and paintings, survive in very limited quantities.
The use of color influenced the development of both pattern and
naturalism in art; it reflected interest in artistic exchange, luxury
and status, as well as cultural and religious traditions. A renewed
study of the colors of classical art across a wide range of media helps
us to understand better the complexities and wonders of the classical
world.
This website, which is part of a larger project that also includes a
special exhibition and a self-guided tour of the permanent gallery,
represents an in-depth collaboration between the Indiana University Art
Museum and the Department of the History of Art; it was designed in
conjunction with two classes and incorporates the research of both
graduate and undergraduate students. Visit the "About" section for more
information about this project and for a full list of the contributors.
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