Theme:
1. Artefacts, Buildings & Ecofacts
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
Polychromy in Practice: Casting Colour onto Roman Artworks
Content:
Recent interdisciplinary innovation in the fields of materials science and digital heritage have had a transformative impact on our understanding of how artworks, architecture and artefacts were presented to Roman audiences and the way contemporary audiences can engage with them in the museumscape and digital arena. Polychromy is pivotal to this interface since colour is a central component of the lived experience that creates connections between people, places and things. Yet, colour is often under-represented in archaeological reports and barely acknowledged on information boards in exhibition spaces.
Non-invasive technologies, including pXRF, Raman Spectroscopy, multispectral imaging and microphotography, permit the rapid in situ analysis of curated Classical sculptures and precious frescoes to fingerprint original surface treatments and pigments. Where appropriate, laboratory-based analytical techniques, including SEM/EDS, GC-MS, micro-Raman, FTIR-ATR, light microscopy of cross-sections, amongst others, provide a deeper granularity and precision to our interpretations.
This session will explore how new interpretive frameworks and the application of these and other emerging techniques on Roman statuary, sculpted reliefs, inscriptions, artefacts and architectural features have altered their perception and facilitated their authentic reconstruction using cutting-edge digital technologies. We welcome contributions from researchers considering all aspects of polychromy practice in Roman contexts, including those with a focus on frontier contexts where the dynamics between cultural traditions, artistic skills, raw materials and availability of pigments may differ greatly from other provincial settings. Papers may include, but are not restricted to:
• Materials science methodologies in polychromy research;
• The role of colour in Roman visual media;
• Digital reconstruction in research and museums;
• Provincial horizons.
Keywords:
Polychromy, Materials Science, Roman Statuary and Sculpted Reliefs, Digital Reconstruction, Art Expression
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Louisa Campbell (United Kingdom) 1
Co-organisers:
Gabrielle Kremer (Austria) 2
Affiliations:
1. University of Glasgow
2. Austrian Archaeological Institute
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