Students Explore the Ancient World in Color Through The Met’s Chroma Exhibit

The History elective focuses on the historical evolution of the use, perception, and meaning of color. The exhibition highlighted both the use of polychromy in the ancient world and how knowledge of that customary practice was either forgotten or contested over the course of centuries. Dalton Art History and Museum Programs educator Michelle Marcus helped guide the visit, and Archivist and Museum Program Coordinator Kris Santos provided additional support. The students agreed they would never see classical sculpture the same way again.

The Latin classes visited the museum as part of their study of ancient Greek and Roman art. In preparation for the trip, the students discussed the damaging impact whitewashing classical art and architecture had in maintaining notions of imperialism and colonialism. Following the discussion, the Latin students closely analyzed five statues in the exhibit and painted their own miniature 3D-printed versions to recreate the originally colorful worlds of Ancient Greece and Rome.

Check out photos from the two trips:

HS History at The Met | Latin Classes at The Met