International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture

The International Round Table on Polychromy in Ancient Sculpture and Architecture or the “Polychromy Round Table” is a series of meetings dedicated to the study of the polychromy of ancient sculpture and architecture.

The subject of colour in the ancient world has long fascinated scholars. Within the realm of Classical art, historians stretching back to the late eighteenth century have periodically addressed the topic that sculpture and architectural elements from the Greco-Roman world, and beyond, were originally highly coloured.

Recently, interest in this field has once more been reinvigorated by the advent of new scientific techniques and methodologies, as well as by a community of diverse and interdisciplinary scholars, dedicated to the study of the polychromy of ancient sculpture and architecture.

Since 2009, this growing network of scholars has met on a series of occasions(see Past Meetings), first held annually and, since 2016, biennially.

The meetings have a strong tradition of providing an excellent opportunity for experts from a wide range of fields (archaeologists, architectural historians, scientists, conservators, museum and digital humanities professionals) to discuss new research in a stimulating multidisciplinary setting. Papers from a variety of perspectives are encouraged and cover many aspects of polychromy in ancient sculpture and architecture.

PRT1_Meeting

This website collects the experience of these productive and rich encounters at the Polychromy Round Table, in the form of past programmes, abstracts and published proceedings. It also aims to provide a focal point for this network and research community to share news on its investigations, publications and events.

In the inclusive spirit of the Polychromy Round Table and its network, this site also aims to reach out to other researchers who may be considering the subject of ancient polychromy from the Greco-Roman world or relevant comparative studies from their own interdisciplinary viewpoints, geographical areas and time periods.

For further information or to sign up to the mailing list, please email: polychromyroundtable@gmail.com

Join the Polychromy Round Table LinkedIn Group here

Conference: "Colour concept: “Secoli bui” a colori. Codici cromatici e architetture dipinte nell’età tardoantica e medievale" at the University of Florence, Italy.

9th - 11th April, 2025

Organisers: Elisabetta Neri, Laura Buccino, Paolo Liverani, Fulvio Cervini

The aim of the conference on the first day is to explore various media of Late Antique figurative culture in terms of colour to grasp the interaction between the various media and the possible development of a colour culture specific to the period under consideration, in which literary sources emphasise the emergence of the association between colour and abstract concept.

On the second day, the issues of painted architecture and building sculpture are addressed, considering the evolution of colour space and its perception through the study of a series of restoration and study sites that reveal and interpret it.

The two-day conference is preceded by an update and working session of the members of the Colour Concept research programme.

More information here. To participate (in person or online), please contact agnese.latorrata@unifi.it