“Knowing no better, artists in the 16th century took the bare stone at face value. Michelangelo and others emulated what they believed to be the ancient aesthetic, leaving the stone of most of their statues its natural color.”
UV light makes pigment remaining on ancient Greek statues glow. A Smithsonian slideshow recreates glittering color among Greek armor, fashion and architecture. [story here]
‘The genius behind the Parthenon’s sculptures was the architect and artist Phidias. It was said that he alone among mortals had seen the gods as they truly are.’
