The Way They Were

NY Carlsberg Glyptotek

Translation of the text that accompanies the photos: "We are all used to seeing the white marble ancient Greek and Roman statues in the museum, but they were originally painted in bright colors that faded over time. Currently, there is an exhibit in Copenhagen of 120 statues side by side with plaster reproductions painted to show their original colors. These colors were reproduced with the help of researchers using advanced imaging and analysis techniques to reveal traces of the original pigments": http://www.laboiteverte.fr/les-couleurs-statues-antiques/
   The many techniques used by researchers to determine where and which colors were used range from simple observation to infrared and ultraviolet light to electron microscopy. They are aided in their work by contemporary writings, such as that of 1st century Roman Plinius the Elder, who wrote about pigments in his Natural History: http://www.glyptoteket.com/explore/research/tracking-colour