Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures were originally brightly colored

For centuries, the prevailing image of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture has been one of pure white marble. However, research indicates that these works, depicting deities and historical figures, were originally adorned with vibrant colors, patterned clothing, and even gold or metal inlays.

Vinzenz Brinkmann, head of the antique art department at the Liebieghaus in Frankfurt, notes that the myth of colorless antiquity arose during the Italian Renaissance in the 16th century, when white marble aligned with contemporary artistic ideals. Despite archaeological findings of pigment traces since the 18th century, the misconception persisted into the 20th century.

Recent scientific analysis has confirmed these findings. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, experts discovered pigment traces on a Roman matron's head from approximately 40–20 BCE, suggesting the marble bust once featured painted eyelashes.