17 of 54London 2006-06

A reproduction of the multicolored decorations that greek columns originally had. This, called polychrome, had completely worn off by the time the ancient Greek temples were inspected by the Victorian English, and so they were left with the impression that classical architecture completely lacked color. Later analysis of the stone revealed the colorful patterns that had once been painted on it, and the replica of the Parthenon in Nashville reproduces what is thought to be the original colors.

From: British Museum | Album: British Museum