Ultraviolet light reveals how ancient Greek statues really looked [Amazing Tech!]

Gizmodo ^ | 20 August, 2010 | Gizmodo

[James C. Bennett]

Ping!

[swarthyguy]

Very very cool.

Now about all those old movies with white statues.....

[wastedyears]

I prefer them looking old, gray and weathered.

[Red Badger]

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Very interesting. Thanks.

[Red Badger]

See #5.............

[PATRIOT1876]

Wow! That is really cool!

[Verginius Rufus]

Of course the second statue shown is not Greek—it’s the Prima Porta statue of the Roman emperor Augustus.

[wastedyears]

*VOMIT CARNAGE*

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Much more attractive (and more interesting) in the au naturel state than painted IMHO.

[misharu]

Good Lord, Red! What the hell was THAT for?!! Now I am blind!!

[James C. Bennett]

I agree.

[The_Victor]

Now about all those old movies with white statues.....

Since when has historical accuracy ever been a concern of Hollywood?

[DManA]

Headline should read

New technology reveals ancient Greeks had terrible taste in art.

[libertarian27]

Of course the second statue shown is not Greek—it’s the Prima Porta statue of the Roman emperor Augustus.

But of course...would you have any Grey Poupon?;)

[Oratam]

We like Greek sculpture and architecture to be a chaste white.

The ancient world was painted gaudy colors and probably more resembled this:

than anything we see in movies or textbooks.

[swain_forkbeard]

“it’s the Prima Porta statue of the Roman emperor Augustus.”

Yes, but it’s in the Greek style and may have been sculpted by a Greek.

[MichiganMan]

New technology reveals ancient Greeks had terrible taste in art.

Thats been the general consensus of opinion as these (re)discoveries have become more widespread. But one is forced to consider how much of our taste for what is and isn't tacky is dictated by centuries of what we thought Greek/Roman art looked like. IOW, if the paints hadn't faded away, would we now be pooh-poohing marble white, empty eyed statues as bland and soulless?

[SMARTY]

Yup