2 ms·

Some info on Alexander Sarcophagus in Istanbul Archeology Museum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarc

by gokhan 12y ago

Some info on Alexander Sarcophagus in Istanbul Archeology Museum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus Wikipedia image shows some color traces: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus#mediaviewer/File:Alexander_Sarcophagus_Battle_of_Ussus.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus#mediaview...

walterbell 12y ago
Found a comment by Gregory Meeker about "underpainting", which used to be on the Smithsonian article [1] [2]: "It’s reasonable to assume that the painting on the figures was at least as sophisticated as the figures themselves. By the time of the Alexander Sarcophagus the subtlety of the sculpture has far outstripped the colors identified and applied by Brinkmann. This does not mean that Brinkmann has left the path of accurate reconstruction; it may mean that his ultimate goal is impossibly distant. The colors he has identified on later pieces are clearly just underpainting for a far more realistic final finish. This was the process used in Renaissance oil paintings of equivalent visual sophistication. The assumption that the painting was as sophisticated as the figures is an extremely conservative one. The artistic and manual skills required for realistic sculpting are far greater than those required for life-like painting of a finished figure. And the painting task was a relaxed one, far more amenable to messing around until the artist got it right. So painting was easier, less risky and, because of weathering, constantly in demand. It is reasonable to conclude that until sculpting reached its zenith, painting of figures was substantially more sophisticated than the figures themselves. With luck, Brinkmann will eventually find a piece with all the layers intact." [1] http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-were-painted/ http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-we... [2] http://www.simorgh.de/objects/091008_1/ http://www.simorgh.de/objects/091008_1/
- Luc 12y ago
  Thanks, this really does seem much more reasonable than the 'painting by numbers' style in the posted article.
- calibraxis 12y ago
  Maybe the buyers dictated the garishness, not the artists. Artist friends of mine tell me how the whole art industry is warped by the need to make ignorant rich people feel smart (and believe their pieces may rise in value). Same with webdesigners laughing about their bosses who demand ugly junk, layered under inexplicable symbolism. Perhaps most of the rich really loved the effect of eye-popping colors. To the chagrin of Greek/Roman "classics" snobs who bask in the reflection of these symbols' austere reserve.

by gokhan 12y ago

walterbell 12y ago

Found a comment by Gregory Meeker about "underpainting", which used to be on the Smithsonian article [1] [2]: "It’s reasonable to assume that the painting on the figures was at least as sophisticated as the figures themselves. By the time of the Alexander Sarcophagus the subtlety of the sculpture has far outstripped the colors identified and applied by Brinkmann. This does not mean that Brinkmann has left the path of accurate reconstruction; it may mean that his ultimate goal is impossibly distant. The colors he has identified on later pieces are clearly just underpainting for a far more realistic final finish. This was the process used in Renaissance oil paintings of equivalent visual sophistication. The assumption that the painting was as sophisticated as the figures is an extremely conservative one. The artistic and manual skills required for realistic sculpting are far greater than those required for life-like painting of a finished figure. And the painting task was a relaxed one, far more amenable to messing around until the artist got it right. So painting was easier, less risky and, because of weathering, constantly in demand. It is reasonable to conclude that until sculpting reached its zenith, painting of figures was substantially more sophisticated than the figures themselves. With luck, Brinkmann will eventually find a piece with all the layers intact." [1] http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-were-painted/ http://100swallows.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/greek-statues-we... [2] http://www.simorgh.de/objects/091008_1/ http://www.simorgh.de/objects/091008_1/

Luc 12y ago
Thanks, this really does seem much more reasonable than the 'painting by numbers' style in the posted article.
calibraxis 12y ago
Maybe the buyers dictated the garishness, not the artists. Artist friends of mine tell me how the whole art industry is warped by the need to make ignorant rich people feel smart (and believe their pieces may rise in value). Same with webdesigners laughing about their bosses who demand ugly junk, layered under inexplicable symbolism. Perhaps most of the rich really loved the effect of eye-popping colors. To the chagrin of Greek/Roman "classics" snobs who bask in the reflection of these symbols' austere reserve.