Polychromie

Since 1990, research into historic dyes has added considerably to our knowledge of the colour palettes and techniques of ancient societies. Thanks to scientific advances and modern analysis tools, it is now possible to identify, characterise and restore certain lost colours. Despite this progress, some grey areas remain: were all the parts of ancient buildings painted? Was statuary polychromy intended to imitate the living world, or did it reflect an aesthetic specific to the context in which it was displayed? These questions, as well as the techniques used to enhance sculpture (folds, contours, etc.), require an interdisciplinary approach.