Greek Painting Techniques and Materials

This is the first comprehensive overview of the techniques and materials used in a range of monumental paintings from different regions, dating from the mid fourth century BC to the first century BC, which reflect Hellenistic culture. It is based primarily on the technical examination, undertaken by the author during her D.Phil thesis at the University of Oxford, of materials of different typology: paintings – including wall paintings, painted architectural elements and marble monuments. Further information was taken from selected published and unpublished sources. The book provides significant new evidence on techniques and materials of painting and pigments during this period. The in situ examination of the paintings was based on careful visual observation and employed special lighting and photographic methods for recording and documenting the paintings. This revealed important features and allowed hypotheses to be established concerning the techniques and materials of the Ancient Greeks.