I had always assumed that much of the whitewashing and removal of colour
occurred as a result of the 17th century's interest in a "classical
aesthetic" which they wrongly assumed included unpainted stone sculpture.
I realize as I write this that it comes from visiting the Bardi and
Peruzzi chapels in Florence, which were whitewashed, I believe, then.
Florence, especially Santa Croce, of course remained Roman Catholic.
At the Cloisters Museum (NY) we have a charming portal from a Burgundian
Monastery (Moutier Saint Jean) of the Coronation of the Virgin which
retains a good deal of its colour. It is quite startling, actually.
Visitors always remark on it.
celia gaposchkin
uc berkeley history
cloisters ny
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