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Exploring Ancient Sculpture Colors

Nov 14, 2024

Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color - The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Overview

  • Exhibition showcases the use of color in ancient sculptures.
  • Features works by Vinzenz Brinkmann and Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann on reconstructing ancient sculptures with their original colors.
  • Includes a variety of ancient Greek, Roman, and Cycladic sculptures and artifacts, demonstrating the historical use of color.

Notable Reconstructions by Vinzenz Brinkmann and Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann

  • Marble Funerary Stele of Phrasikleia
    • Medium: Polymethyl metacrylate.
    • Year: 2010.
  • Cycladic Figure of the Spedos Group
    • Medium: Synthetic marble, natural pigments in egg tempera.
    • Year: 2006.
  • Marble Finial in the Form of a Sphinx
    • Medium: Cast from polymethyl metacrylate, natural pigments, gold foil, copper.
  • Cuirass-Torso from the Athenian Acropolis
    • Medium: Plaster cast, natural pigments, gold foil.
    • Year: 2005.
  • Riace Warriors A & B
    • Medium: Bronze cast.
    • Year: 2015-2016.
  • Alexander Sarcophagus
    • Medium: Synthetic material, natural pigments in egg tempera.
    • Year: 2007.
  • Terme Boxer & Ruler
    • Medium: Bronze cast.
    • Year: 2018.
  • Chios Kore from the Athenian Acropolis
    • Medium: Cast from polymethyl metacrylat, natural pigments in egg tempera.
    • Year: 2012.
  • Caligula
    • Medium: Synthetic marble cast, natural pigments in egg tempera.
    • Year: 2005.

Important Historical Artifacts

  • Bronze Head of a Griffin
    • Origin: Greek.
    • Date: Third quarter of the 7th century BCE.
  • Bronze Horse
    • Origin: Greek.
    • Date: Late 8th century BCE.
  • Terracotta Cosmetic Vase
    • Origin: East Greek.
    • Date: 4th quarter of the 6th century BCE.
  • Marble Capital and Finial in the Form of a Sphinx
    • Origin: Greek, Attic.
    • Date: ca. 530 BCE.
  • Bronze Torso of a Youth
    • Origin: Greek.
    • Date: 1st half of the 5th century BCE.
  • Terracotta Nolan Amphora
    • Origin: Greek, Attic.
    • Date: ca. 480-470 BCE.

Roman Artifacts

  • Puteal with Narcissus and Echo
    • Medium: Marble.
    • Date: 2nd century.
  • Glass Portrait Head of a Woman
    • Medium: Glass.
    • Date: 1st half of the 2nd century CE.
  • Sardonyx Cameo Portrait of the Emperor Augustus
    • Medium: Sardonyx.
    • Date: ca. 41-54 CE.

Other Significant Pieces

  • Terracotta Lekythos
    • Origin: Greek, South Italian, probably Paestan.
    • Date: Mid-4th century BCE.
  • Bronze Statuette of Aphrodite
    • Origin: Greek.
    • Date: 3rd-1st century BCE.
  • Ivory Portrait Head of Emperor Augustus
    • Medium: Ivory.
    • Date: ca. 27 BCE-14 CE.

Conclusion

  • The exhibition highlights the vibrant history of color in ancient sculpture.
  • It draws attention to the meticulous work of reconstruction and the historical context of each artifact.
  • Provides insight into the methods and materials used in the original creation and modern reconstruction of these ancient artworks.