Originally Published: March 20, 2023

New revelations continue to emerge about ancient sculptures, with a recent study suggesting that statues from Greek and Roman antiquity were scented with perfumes. Researchers from Denmark, after examining texts from antiquity, discovered references to the use of perfumes and scented oils on statues of gods and goddesses. This practice, they propose, was designed to render statues more lifelike.

Cicero, the Roman writer, referenced the treatment of a statue of Artemis in Sicily, whereas the poet Callimachus described a similar process for the statue of Queen Berenice II of Egypt. Archaeological evidence from the sanctuary of Delos in Greece, where inscriptional references and remains of perfume workshops connected to statues of Artemis and Hera were found, supports these literary accounts.

These findings join a decade of research indicating that ancient Greek and Roman sculptures were painted in vivid hues. The idea that classical statues were devoid of color, which gained traction during the Renaissance and was partly fostered by Renaissance artists, is now being revised.

Vinzenz Brinkmann, an archaeologist, notes that Renaissance artists and thinkers prioritized form over color, leading to the concept that ancient sculptures were bare marble. This belief, combined with societal ideals during the Enlightenment period that valued purity and clarity, contributed to the suppression of evidence showing that these statues were once painted.

Even with the burial of colors having faded over time, and traces of color often dismissed as “barbaric” influences, there’s a growing recognition of the importance of color in the ancient visual experience. Exhibitions and displays now aim to recreate the appearance of these statues in their original vibrant state, challenging the long-held myth of their whiteness.

While the ideal of colorless marble sculptures has roots in historical periods that celebrated white as a symbol of purity and superiority, the understanding of the complex palate and symbolism of colors in ancient art continues to evolve. New archaeological techniques and appreciations for the polyfunctionality of these artifacts are unveiling a more nuanced and vivid picture of the past.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/statues-in-ancient-greece-rome-were-colorful-and-perfumed/a-64426809?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf