Pompeii shows its true colours

[xchrom]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/sep/22/pompeii-red-yellow


A fresco depicting the cult of Dionysus in the Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii. Photograph: Julian Worker/Alamy

When word spread to Britain of the sensational discovery of the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in the 18th century, "Pompeiian red" became the favoured colour for smart dining-rooms – as it remains today.

But, it seems, it may be time to get out the paint chart. According to new research presented to Sapienza University in Rome last week, large swaths of the vivid "Pompeiian red" frescoes in the town actually began life as yellow – and were turned red by the gases emitted from Vesuvius as it erupted in AD 79.

Experts have long realised that some of the characteristic vivid reds of the frescoes in Pompeii and Herculaneum were originally yellow. But a new study, conducted by Italy's National Institute of Optics, suggests the sheer extent of the colour change.

Sergio Omarini, who presented the institute's findings, said: "At the moment, there are 246 walls perceived as red, and 57 as yellow. But based on the new research, the numbers must have been, respectively, 165 and 138.

[snagglepuss]

1. Fascinating. Thanks for posting. nt

[xchrom]

2. Sure thing. Nt

[MBS]

3. Really interesting! thanks. n/t

[southernyankeebelle]

4. Pompei is one of the nicest places to visit and see history. In fact the whole of Italy is lovely.

[awoke_in_2003]

5. If I ever hit the lotto big time...

Italy is where I would live- somewhere on the coast.

[Paka]

6. I was too late to Rec.

But at least I can kick. Thanks for posting this interesting piece.

[the_chinuk]

7. This makes complete sense

What experience I have in painting suggests that red is one of the least stable pigments out there; it's very prone to washing out over time ("fugitive" - the color tends to escape) or the pigments used are remarkably susceptible to reactive combination with chemical agents in the surrounding environment. Color theorist Michael Wilcox actually suggests that all artists remove Alizarin Crimsom from their palettes.

Red's always been a testy color