Free
About the lecture
The lecture presents the findings of research into the polychromy of ancient sculpture that have fundamentally changed our perception of it. Although reconstructions of such works inevitably involve an element of the hypothetical and can only offer approximate reproductions of their ancient appearance, they are of great help to us in understanding the role and function of ancient art within the society of its time.
Colour also proves to be an intersectional theme that can only be addressed by bringing together the expertise of numerous disciplines. Beyond examining the surviving traces of polychromy on sculptures—which requires a team comprising archaeologists and conservation chemists—it is necessary to re-examine literary sources. This is done by integrating philological and linguistic approaches, while also taking into account the contribution of the cognitive sciences to understanding, for example, the evolution of colour terminology in ancient languages and its correlative in modern ones.
There are also technical treatises on colour from late antiquity requiring specialized expertise in terms of both philology and chemistry. Finally, the colours used on sculptures conveyed social meanings that can be clarified through careful attention to semiotics.
The talk will be illustrated by examples of art ranging from the Archaic Greek to the Roman and up to the threshold of the Byzantine periods.
About the Speaker
Paolo Liverani is Professor of Ancient Topography at the University of Florence. He graduated from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 1982 and earned a PhD in 1991. He served as curator of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the Vatican Museums from 1986 until 2005, when he joined the faculty of the University of Florence, where he became a full professor in 2017. A member of several learned societies—including the Italian National Academy of the Lincei, Academia Europaea, Deutsches Archäologisches Institut, Société nationale des Antiquaires de France, and Archaeological Institute of America—he has authored over 350 publications and specializes in the topography of ancient Rome and the polychromy of its sculpture, museum history, and late antiquity.
About the series
Deepen your understanding of art, its history, and associated issues by attending the informal and captivating presentations in the Art in Focus series.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Reservation terms: Please note that seat reservations are held until the beginning of the event. Once the activity has started, any unoccupied seats will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location: Maxwell Cummings Auditorium, 1379-A Sherbrooke Street West
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Associated programming
Major Patrons
Fondation de la Chenelière and Fondation Ariane Riou et Réal Plourde
Patron
The Molson Foundation
Exhibition
Presenting Sponsor
Hydro-Québec
Patrons
Elina & Giuseppe Borsellino Family Foundation, Sabino and Clara Grassi, and Giovanni and Ginette Di Schiavi
In collaboration with
Tourisme Montréal
With support from
Broccolini, Allen Maintenance/Controlnet, the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation, Burgundy Asset Management and the Italian Consulate General in Montreal
Partners of Fondazione Torlonia
Fondazione Bvlgari and Chiomenti
Public Partners
Conseil des arts de Montréal and gouvernement du Québec
Official Sponsors
Air Canada, Air Canada Cargo and Denalt Paints
Media Partners
Bell and La Presse
The MMFA wishes to thank the Italian Cultural Institute of Montreal and the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa for their generous contribution.
