HAD-427P Color in Ancient Greece and Rome

3 Credits

Color was a critical aspect of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The "Chroma" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum inspired this course. We will look closely at polychromy of ancient marble sculptures, pigments, their application and affects they created, and issues surrounding modern reconstructions. We will also examine other types of added color, such as fabric dyes, glass pigmentation and wall paintings, as well as the vast world of inherent color, especially precious metals, marbles and other architectural stone, gemstones, and clays. This seminar is offered concurrently to undergrads and grads, includes an independent research project and museum visits.