Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin White sculptures
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Jan 30, 2019 Explore the surprising truth behind ancient sculptures, which were originally painted, not just white marble. Learn why we find colorful reconstructions unappealing today and how cultural myths shape our perceptions of beauty. Delve into the historical bias toward whiteness in art and restoration practices that favor white marble. Discover how the story of the Mona Lisa's theft revolutionized artistic fame. Finally, challenge your views on art by considering how original viewers experienced these masterpieces.
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Statues Were Painted, Not White
- Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures were originally painted, not white, despite our modern assumption.
- Cultural myths and display choices have locked in the white statue as the 'regular kind'.
Fame Shapes Perceived Beauty
- Restored colored reconstructions often look 'wrong' to modern viewers because they conflict with entrenched expectations.
- Media and fame (like the Mona Lisa theft) shape what we accept as canonical beauty.
Whiteness Became Aesthetic Authority
- 18th–19th century Northern Europeans idealized whiteness as purity and superior taste.
- That preference marginalized vividly colored art as 'other' and influenced museum presentation choices.