It can be difficult to make connections with the art of antiquity; how much can modern humanity possibly have in common with people who lived thousands of years ago? This can be especially true of ancient Greek and Roman art, which is largely monochromatic; sculptures are made of hard, impassive marble or bronze, and weathered architecture has faded them to a single dingy shade.
This lack of color can translate into inaccessibility; museum-goers sometimes are less attracted to classical art exhibits, lingering politely for a few moments before moving on to the Impressionists or Japanese woodblock prints – or any exhibit that is more visually appealing, because of its colorful representations.
To help visitors better connect with the works of the ancient Mediterranean, museums are striving to present this art as its contemporaries would have seen it – vibrantly colored and eye-catching – through a combination of technology and painstaking research.