Marmora aurata

Since 2010, careful colorimetric analyses have been performed on tens of the ancient sculptures owned by the Uffizi Gallery. By strictly complying with the method used and fine-tuning the tools used in the investigations, the researchers have detected the sometimes minimal, yet always irrefutable, evidence of colours which have survived the multiple levigations, acid treatments and regular cleaning interventions undergone by these marble works over their centuries of history in collections. This paper aims to summarise the findings of this nine-year research project, focusing in particular on the traces of gilding found on a surprising number of statues, including some of the most famous specimens in the Florentine collections, such as the Medici Vase or the Medici Venus