Seminars

Abstract

Recent scientific analysis and investigation into the surface of stone monuments at Persepolis and relief fragments from the site confirm that the now grey facades were once brightly painted. This talk provides an introduction into ongoing research and highlights recent results of these scientific investigations by focusing mainly on the role of facial hair and attitudes of official court art towards the presentation of rulers such as Darius I and Xerxes I. The talk also contextualizes research on pigments from the facades of monuments on sites such as Persepolis, Pasargadae, and Susa within a wider socio-cultural framework by addressing aspects of modern iconographical studies about official Achaemenid court art. A survey of approaches investigating the polychromies on ancient West Asian monuments and its modern reception highlights interesting historiographical aspects and helps us as we continue to engage with the making of the mineral universe of Achaemenid Persia.