The Met Digitally Revives Greco-Roman Sculptures To Their Intended Vivid Colors

The old marble and stone sculptures from yesteryear that line the hallways of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art are now being brought to life with color as new technology can now demonstrate to visitors the beauty of their original design. 

Greco-Roman sculptures are getting a makeover to look just as they once did in ancient times. In a new exhibit named Chroma: Ancient Sculpture in Color, 50 artifacts will now be adorned in color. In collaboration with the Met and the Liebieghaus Sculpture collection, which have performed research to determine what colors were used and how they were significant to the culture, these sculptures will be digitized in their initial form. 

The technology explores the ancient use of polychromy where different mediums of colors and textures were married together to bestow upon the sculpture a dazzling array of colors. However, time has washed away this spectacular display of colors and textures and has left behind a wash of plain marble or stone.

For those visiting the Met, should you find yourself perusing the Greek and Roman wing, the Chroma exhibit will be available to view from your smartphone through an app. Using augmented reality, it would allow patrons to experience the magnificence of 22 sculptures in stunning new detail.

Museumgoers can also take part in a scavenger hunt and use filters to better understand the technology used to bring this collection to life through the app. Bluecadet, an experience design firm, helped create the app. The app will be available from July 5, 2022, onwards through the rest of the year.  

[via Artnet News and The Met, cover image via The Met]