Did you know the ancient world was full of vibrant colors? Due to the passage of time, burial effects, and historical interventions, the original coloring of artworks can change or disappear. For this month's #ConnectingCollections, we are exploring the theme of pigments in ancient artworks. So how do we spot evidence of ancient colors? Getty conservators, scientists, and scholars apply non-invasive scientific techniques to explore ancient polychromy. One of Getty's multidisciplinary teams is currently working to examine the surfaces of Roman marble statues at the Getty Villa for traces of pigments. Techniques like digital microscopy, along with technical imaging, including visible-induced infrared luminescence (VIL) and analyses such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS) can help characterize original pigments still present on ancient artifacts. From the Renaissance onwards, ancient marble sculptures were often excessively cleaned to create ...