For the first time, the Polychromy Round Table will take place outside Europe, in the United States, where ancient polychromy studies have a long history. Building upon the encouraging experiences in Berlin (2020) and Rome (2022), this meeting will explore considerable developments, focused research projects, and a growing interest in the topic that characterize the field. Interdisciplinary collaboration within the humanities, conservation science, and natural sciences over recent decades have been of decisive importance and have led to breakthroughs in the understanding of ancient polychromy. The 12th Polychromy Round Table, Art & Science Unite! Interdisciplinary Polychromy Research, seeks submissions for papers related to innovative projects and methods in interdisciplinary polychromy research under two rubrics, the principal theme “Art & Science” and, as customary, “News from Current Research.” Although data sets remain as vital as ever, they can no longer be viewed in isolation. Technical studies, syntheses, and interpretation in relation to well- defined research questions are necessary to advance the field.Abstract submissions, max. 400 words, must include the title of your contribution, author(s) and affiliation(s), and be submitted to PRT12@getty.edu no later than 15 January 2024. Presentations should be no longer than 20 minutes and will be followed by 10 minutes of discussion. A poster session with 10-minute lightening presentations is also planned. Physical presence in Los Angeles is requested for participation and is required of all speakers, although we intend to live stream the presentations. Please indicate if your contribution falls under the rubric of “Art & Science” or “News from Current Research.” A scientific committee will review the submissions and make decisions in Spring 2024. We anticipate that proceedings of the Round Table will be published by the Getty.
During the conference special tours of the Getty’s art collections, special exhibitions, and conservation and scientific facilities will be available, as well as an optional visit to another cultural institution in Los Angeles. The organizers are also seeking bursaries to help support the costs of travel for presenters without institutional funding. Please indicate with your paper submission if you lack institutional support and require financial support in order to attend the conference. Details about these bursaries, associated events, schedules, hotel accommodations, etc. should be available by early Summer 2024.
Possible topics to be addressed include:
• Pigments: identification, provenances, trade routes
• Pigment data: assembly and access
• Technical imaging in polychromy research
• Project design: innovative network organization and resource sharing
• Polychromy studies: interdisciplinary collaboration–ways forwards
• Ars, scientia, and materia: ancient notions and visual perceptions
• Polychrome surfaces: natura, ars, truth
• Living matter: wood, ivory, and bone
• Plastike: metals, terracotta, and glass
• Ancient color worlds: in and adjacent to the Mediterranean
• Communicating ancient polychromy to the public: in galleries and beyond
• Reconstructions for scholars and the public: 2-D, 3-D, and virtual