11-13-2012, 12:09 AM
Thanks very much for the review. I have just ordered the book on Amazon because I buy everything that comes out on TC. The question of colour is a vexed one. I would say that if the Column was never painted, then it was, by definition, unfinished (there are no indications that the sculpting was unfinished, down to fingernails and belt-buckles right to the end of the project at the top). It is safe to assume that all Roman sculpture had a polychrome coverage, unless proved otherwise. On the other hand, the many attempt at detailed observation on the shaft, including my own, have found little incontrovertible trace surviving. Nineteenth century scholars became very excited about 'traces', but these were largely the result of verdegris rainwash from the statue on the top. I am convinced that some of the sculpture was composed with colour in mind and there is plenty of evidence from other monuments that paint was applied (found on the Arch of Titus in Rome and the Arch of Trajan at Benevento). That being said, the 'natural' palate range is debatable. I will read the new book carefully to see if it based on direct data or wishful thinking. Mention has been made in postings of the metal insert weapons. These were a separate process of drilling hands and fitting metal (presumably copper-alloy) items, mostly shafted weapons, but some bladed weapons, tools and the occasional standard element. However, the sculptors often did not carve the marble in high enough relief to allow this work to be carried out, so many human figures wave their arms around rather aimlessly (e.g. Dacian archers in fort siege scenes)!
