Did the ancients write that their sculpture is painted?

1. Did ancient statues used to be painted?
2. How do we know ancient statues were painted?
3. Was most ancient statues painted?
4. Were Greek statues meant to be painted?

Did ancient statues used to be painted?

In antiquity, however, Greek (50.11. 4) and Roman (81.6. 48) sculpture was originally richly embellished with colorful painting, gilding, silvering, and inlay. Such polychromy, which was integral to the meaning and immediacy of such works, survives today only in fragmentary condition.

How do we know ancient statues were painted?

Evidence for polychromy

Some were found with small elements of colour still adhering to the surface. This supports the view that in antiquity statues were painted. Over time some pigments applied by the artists have faded due to burial conditions, aging, and overzealous cleaning.

Was most ancient statues painted?

While the myth that ancient statues were devoid of colour has a long tradition, it is false. Ancient statues were predominantly painted, and brightly so!

Were Greek statues meant to be painted?

Painting of sculpture

Despite appearing white today, Greek sculptures were originally painted. This color restoration shows what a statue of a Trojan archer from the Temple of Aphaia, Aegina would have originally looked like.