Coloured Idols - The international exhibition Bunte Götter (“Coloured Gods”), organized by the...

8/9/2019 Coloured Idols - The international exhibition Bunte Gtter (Coloured Gods), organized by the Munich Glyptothek i

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Coloured IdolsJoannes Richter

NAMABG-Athena Aphaia-W Pediment colored.JPGRestitution du dcor polychrome de statues du fronton Ouest du temple d'Athna Aphaia gine. Vers 490 av. J.-C. Exposition Bunte Gtter dans la version montre Athnes. Etude : Vinzenze Brinkmann et Hermann Pflug. Peinture : Ulrike Koch-

Brinkmann. Original : Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek.

Marsyas 25 February 2007

Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Genericlicense.

IntroductionThe international exhibitionBunte Gtter(Coloured Gods), organized by the Munich Glyptothek

in 2004, and shown in Istanbul in 2006 and in Athens in 2007 presented a great number ofreconstructed artworks. A number (26) of these coloured idols have been documented in theWikimedia Commons in the Category:Bunte Gtter exhibition.

This article analyses the colouring codes in the overview and cross-references to other works of art.The study restricts the analysis to repetitive patterns, which allows us to identify alternatingcolouring symbols.

Fig. 1: West-side of the front at the Aphaia-temple at Aegina
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bunte_G%C3%B6tter_exhibition?uselang=dehttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bunte_G%C3%B6tter_exhibition?uselang=dehttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Bunte_G%C3%B6tter_exhibition?uselang=de


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Architecture

Temples

Apart from the idols, which often are multi-coloured, the most striking coloration is the alternatingcolouring in red and blue of the tympanum in the Temple of Aphaia. A similar coloured tympanumhas also been found at the Acropolis temple as reconstructed in the fries at the British Museum.

Polychrome small-scale model of the archer XIof the west pediment of the Temple of Aphaia, ca. 505500 BC.

Figures of the pediments of the Temple of Aphaia were found in 1811, and acquired in 1813 byLudwig I of Bavaria for the Glyptothek.

User:Bibi Saint-Pol, own work, 2007-02-08public domain.

Fig. 2: Aphaia Trojan archer XI
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bibi_Saint-Polhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Bibi_Saint-Polhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain


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The fries of the Acropolis temple has been coloured in alternating red & blue, although the coloursof the swastika-decorations does not seem to be high-lighted.

own work, British Museum, London

own work, British Museum, London

Fig. 3: Red/blue-colours at the Acropolis temple

Fig. 4: Red/blue-colours at the Acropolis temple


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Ceilings

Medieval ceilings may also be decorated in red & blue. Some examples may be found in the Web.

originally posted to Flickr asChapter House ceiling (crop 1)The York Minster Chapter House ceiling.

Michael Wilson from York, United KingdomCreative CommonsAttribution 2.0 Genericlicense.

Wikimedia Commons.

The delicate Chapter House, where the day to day business of the Minster was run, was begun in about 1260. Thedecorative medallion in the center is hand painted with red, blue, green, ivory and gilt. And the centralboss, which

would have been barely visible from below, is an elaborate, vividly-painted design featuring a lamb and other Christiansymbols...

Fig. 5: The York Minster Chapter House ceiling (1260)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flickrhttp://flickr.com/photos/50835495@N00/20038459http://flickr.com/photos/50835495@N00/20038459http://flickr.com/photos/50835495@N00http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://gouk.about.com/od/glossary/g/Definition_of_boss.htmhttp://gouk.about.com/od/glossary/g/Definition_of_boss.htmhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flickrhttp://flickr.com/photos/50835495@N00http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enhttp://gouk.about.com/od/glossary/g/Definition_of_boss.htmhttp://flickr.com/photos/50835495@N00/20038459


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Keystones

own work, July 2010

Fig.6: Keystone and ceiling at the St. Servaas, Maastricht (Netherlands)


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Porticos

The Roman catholic Basilica of Saint Servatius, situated in Maastricht, The Netherlands, is aRomanesque basilica dedicated to Saint Servatius, a martyr of the fourth century. In the first half ofthe 13th century theBergportaal, a portal in early Gothic style, was added to the south side and is

perhaps the first Gothic construction in the Netherlands.

The portico is a fine example of the combination of red, blue and a minor amount of green, but hasbeen reconstructed 1885 and may deviate from the original.

In 1797 the chapter was closed down and the church was used as a horse stable. In 1804 the churchbecame the main parish church of Maastricht. Between 1866 and 1900 the church was restored bythe famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. In 1955 a fire caused a church spire to fall through theroof of the church which made another thorough restoration necessary (1982-1992).

own work, July 2010

Fig. 7: Portico of the Basilica of Saint Servatius, Maastricht
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Saint_Servatiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Cuypershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Cuypershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Saint_Servatiushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Cuypers


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The main portico of the St. Servaas reveals a couple dressed in traditional red & blue garments,which will be shown in detail.

own work, July 2010



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The Queen Mary has been dressed in blue & golden, whereas the Divine King is wearing a red &golden garment. Equivalent to the male, red-coloured sun and the female moon in Egypt, the malesymbol is red and the female symbol blue.

own work, July 2010

own work, July 2010


Fig. 10: Portico of the Basilica of Saint Servatius,Maastricht


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Egyptian artwork

Egyptian artwork often applies combinations of red, blue and green or yellow, as shown in thefollowing Djed-pillar (generally revealing red, blue and green stripes).

Outer Coffin Tub of HPA Masaharta

21a Dynasty, Thebes, TT320

Cairo CG61027, JE26195

Niwinski No. 63, Type of lids: II-a gilding

Intellectual property of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RF:

You may use this material for non-commercial purposes.

If published in print or on a website, please give a credit to CESRAS.

Fig. 11: Outer Coffin Tub of HPA Masaharta
http://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.html


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Other Egyptian artwork often combines red and blue with gold or yellow such as in the followingexample of the coffin.

Outer Coffin Tub of HPA Masaharta

21a Dynasty, Thebes, TT320

Cairo CG61027, JE26195

Niwinski No. 63, Type of lids: II-a gilding

Intellectual property of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RF:

You may use this material for non-commercial purposes.

If published in print or on a website, please give a credit to CESRAS.

found at: www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.htm

Fig. 12: Outer Coffin Tub of HPA Masaharta
http://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Roi/21D/Masaharta.html


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Egyptian artwork often applies combinations of red, blue and green. Ancient colours may be hard toidentify and the use ofreconstructeddata orhigh quality photographs will help to avoid errors inidentifications.

Coffin of Djedpthajuefanch 21a-22 Theban Dynasty, 935 BCE Cairo CG61034Left side of coffin fully restored

Due to several camera angles necessary to work around show-case frames, it was impossible to jointhe photographs 100% exactly. This restoration required 300 hours of intense work.

CESRAS Photos by Sergej V. Ivanov, Jan. 2007Digital processing and text by Edward R. Loring

Intellectual property of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, RF: You may use this materialfor non-commercial purposes.

If published in print or on a website, please give a credit toCESRAS.


Fig. 13: Coloured reconstruction for the Coffin of Djedpthajuefanch
http://www.cesras.org/Directory.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Directory.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Directory.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.html


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However the solar disc seems to be painted in red with blue wings and a minor area in green.

Coffin of Djedpthajuefanch 21a-22 Theban Dynasty, 935 BCE Cairo CG61034Left side of coffin fully restored


Fig. 14: Coloured reconstruction for the Coffin of Djedpthajuefanch (detail)
http://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.htmlhttp://www.cesras.org/Ding/Coffins/Masaharta01.html


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Swastika bannersThe swastika-decorations at the helmet and girdle apply alternating red and blue colours. Thecolours for the swastika have been reversed for the helmet (red) and the girdle (blue).

Temple of Aphaia, ca. 505500 BC.Original : Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek.

NAMABG-Aphaia Greek Archer.JPGRestitution du dcor polychrome d'un archer grec provenant du fronton Ouest temple d'Athna

Aphaia gine. Vers 490 av. J.-C. Exposition Bunte Gtter dans la version montre Athnes.Etude : Vinzenze Brinkmann. Restauration : Sylvia Kellner et Olaf Herzog. Peinture : Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann et Sylvia Kellner. Original : Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek.

Photography by Marsyas

This file is licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Fig. 15: Aphaia Greek Archer
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en


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The swastika has been found in similar decorations, applying red & blue alternating colours, such asthe kore.

510BC, in the Acropolis Museum, Athena(computer-simulated) colours by Doug Stern

Fig. 16: Marble Kore Extended Hand


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The similarity of decorations may be observed between the kore and the Aphaia Greek Archer.Both sculptures have been created between approximately 510BC and 500BC.

Fig. 17: Marble Kore Extended Hand (detail)

Fig. 18: Aphaia Greek Archer (detail)


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Decorative elements

Although the decorative pattern is dominated by red & blue we may also identify green and golden /yellow. These patterns will also be found in Egyptian artwork.

Reconstruction of polychromic decoration on the head of a Greek warrior from the Temple ofAthena Aphaia to Aegina. Around 490 BC. AD Exhibition "Bunte Gtter" in the version shown in

Athens. Study: Vinzenz Brinkmann. Restoration of the marble copy: Gabriela Tobin. Painting:Sylvia Kellner. Original: Glyptothque Munich.

Photograph by Marsyas 25 February 2007Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Fig. 19: Greek warrior from the Temple of Athena Aphaia to Aegina


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The decorative pattern at the back of the soldier is red, blue and green, embedded in a yellowbackground

Restitution du dcor polychrome d'un archer troyen (Paris) provenant du fronton Ouest templed'Athna Aphaia gine. Vers 490 av. J.-C. Exposition Bunte Gtter dans la version montre

Athnes. Etude : Vinzenze Brinkmann et Hermann Pflug. Peinture : Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann. Arc etflches : Sylvia Kellner et Ina Klei. Boucles de cheveux : Olaf Herzog. Original : Munich,

Staatliche Antikensammlungen und Glyptothek.

Photography by Marsyas 25 February 2007Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Fig. 20: Trojanic Archer ("Paris") - Temple of Aphaia to Aegina


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Although other sculptures of warriors apply red, blue, yellow and green this is a strikingcombination of red & blue decorations.

Cuirassed torso of a warrior (an archer ?), from the Acropolis, ca. 470 BC.NAMABG MA599 Cuirass

Marsyas created 25 February 2007Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Fig. 21: warrior (an archer ?), from the Acropolis
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NAMABG_MA599_Cuirassed_torso_5.JPGhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NAMABG_MA599_Cuirassed_torso_5.JPG


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The central decorative pattern of the garments apply the combination of red & blue colours.

Marsyas25 February 2007Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Restitution du dcor polychrome du sarcophage dit d'Alexandre, provenant de la ncropole royalede Sidon, reprsentant la bataille d'Issos. Etude : Vinzenze Brinkmann et Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann.

Strolithographie : Alphaform, Munich. Restauration des parties manquantes : Joseph Kotti, Sylvia

Kellner. Peinture : Ulrike Koch-Brinkmann. Original : Muse national archologique d'Istanbul.Exposition Bunte Gtter dans la version montre Athnes.

Fig. 22: sarcophagus at the royal necropolis of Sidon battle of Issos
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.enhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marsyashttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Creative_Commonshttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en


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Egyptian art

Compared to the Greek artwork we may consider the Picture of the Nefertiti bust in NeuesMuseum, Berlin, which applies a combination of red, blue and green.

Zsergheipublic domain

Wikimedia Commons.Info fromNefertiti bust:

The Nefertiti Bust is a 3300-year-old painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, the Great Royal Wife ofthe Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten and is one of the most copied works of ancient Egypt. Due to the

bust, Nefertiti has become one of the most famous women from the ancient world as well as an iconof female beauty. It is believed to have been crafted in 1345 BC by the sculptor Thutmose.

Fig. 23: Nefertiti bust in Neues Museum, Berlin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Nefertiti_busthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Neues_Museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Neues_Museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Neues_Museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nefertiti_bust&redirect=nohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Nefertiti_busthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Neues_Museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en:Neues_Museumhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nefertiti_bust&redirect=no


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Zsergheipublic domain

Wikimedia Commons.

Fig. 24: Nefertiti bust in Neues Museum, Berlin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Pagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domainhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page


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ConclusionModern archaeology allows us to identify the colouring symbols at buildings and sculptures.However ancient colours may be hard to identify and the use ofreconstructeddata1 orhigh quality

photographs will help to avoid errors in identifications.The Bible (Exodus, 2. Book of Chronicles2) specifiesPurple,RedandBlue as divine commands forgarments and temple decorations.

At the Theban Dynasty period3 Egyptian temples generally reveal decorations in red, blue, greenandgolden. Egyptian paintings usually apply the colourredfor the (male) sun and blue and a minoramount ofgreen for the wings of the solar disc.

At 500BC Greek temples apply redand blue (and minor amounts ofgreen) for decorations at thetympanum. Medieval churches prefer colour combinations of red, blue and (minor amounts of)

green for ceilings, keystones and portico's.

Hellenic garments may be decorated with any colour combinations of red, blue, green andyellow.Greek-Roman garments may either apply purple or red & blue patterns for religious symbols.Medieval garments however applypurple, red & blue for divine or sacred and imperial symbolism.In the Middle Age yellowand green will often be considered as evil4 symbols (to be reserved forevil characters).

SummaryArtists in ancient cultures (Egyptian, Roman, Greek and Hebrew people) seem to have preferred red

and blue colour combinations for decorations, but they used other colours as well. In medievalperiods red and blue were the favourite symbols for painting saints and divine persons.

Up to the Middle Age there does not seem to be any negative symbolism attributed to the coloursyellow and green, which were to be avoided in medieval paintings and sculptures.

1 e.g. the website CESRAS.2 see specification in Secret Colour Codes in the Bible3 21a-22 Theban Dynasty, 935 BCE4 Yellow for Judas and Yellow for Saint Peter
http://www.cesras.org/Directory.htmlhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/23708768/Secret-Colour-Codes-in-the-Biblehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/29908370/Yellow-for-Judashttp://www.scribd.com/doc/33874722/Yellow-for-Saint-Peterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/33874722/Yellow-for-Saint-Peterhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/23708768/Secret-Colour-Codes-in-the-Biblehttp://www.scribd.com/doc/29908370/Yellow-for-Judashttp://www.scribd.com/doc/33874722/Yellow-for-Saint-Peterhttp://www.cesras.org/Directory.html

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Coloured Idols - The international exhibition Bunte Götter (“Coloured Gods”), organized by the...

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