Multi-coloured antique bronze statues

Abstract

The controversy over possible artificial patination and painting of antique bronze sculpture extends back into the 19th century. It has been revived in the last few years, partly as a result of the interdisciplinary investigations and restoration of several Greek and Roman statues and the attempt at reinterpretation of ancient writings. It has been categorically denied that painted decoration or artificially applied patina exists on large bronzes. To add to the difficulties of interpretation, many of the large bronzes are sea or river finds with homogeneous black copper sulphide layers on the surface. The theoretical debate can only be sustained in the future through the new study of classical literary sources and contemporary vase paintings and frescos, and, most important of all, chemical and mineralogical investigations of the hundreds of unrestored fragments of Greek, Hellenistic and Roman bronze statues to be found in our museums.