The white lie we've been told about Roman statues

Why do people often picture ancient buildings and sculptures as white marble?

• That's how they originally looked

• It's a common artistic convention

• It's based on historical evidence

• The Greeks and Romans only used white marble

How did the Greeks and Romans make their sculptures resemble real bodies?​ (a)  

• By carving intricate details
• By using precious gems
• By painting them
• By gilding them

What happened to ancient sculptures after the fall of Rome?

• They were well-preserved in museums.

• They were painted by Renaissance artists.

• They were buried or left outdoors for centuries.

• They were transported to different regions.

Why did the artists during the Renaissance not realize the true colors of ancient sculptures?​ (a)  

• They weren't interested in ancient art.
• They didn't have the right materials.
• The paint had faded away over time.
• They were intentionally ignoring the evidence.

Why did the general public and art historians choose to disregard the evidence of colorful ancient sculptures?

• Because they found it unattractive

• Because they believed white marble was more durable

• Because they were unaware of the evidence

• Because they valued accuracy over aesthetics

What was the prevailing belief in Western culture regarding white marble sculptures?​ (a)  

• White marble was aesthetically superior.
• White marble was historically inaccurate.
• White marble was a symbol of purity.
• White marble was a recent artistic innovation.

What is the primary focus of art history today regarding ancient sculptures?

• Aesthetics and personal preference

• Accuracy and historical context

• Creativity and artistic expression

• Rarity and material composition

(a)  

• using advanced 3D printing technology
• conducting chemical analyses of ancient pigment
• comparing them to other well-preserved sculptures
• asking experts for their opinions

What is the main reason behind the colorful appearance of ancient sculptures?

• The availability of vibrant pigments

• Artistic experimentation

• A preference for gilded statues

• The desire to mimic modern art

What can researchers create today to reveal the original colors of ancient statues?

• Accurate replicas of ancient sculptures

• Historical documentaries about the Renaissance

• Detailed maps of ancient sculpture locations

• Written records of art history debates