An Apology for the Colouring of the Greek Court in the Crystal Palace

The pamphlet argues that ancient Greek temples and sculptures were originally richly polychromed rather than uniformly white, marshaling archaeological traces, published observations, and comparative evidence to support this view. It describes an experiment in colouring architectural reproductions to challenge contemporary prejudice, outlines technical practices such as the use of a stucco ground on marble, and surveys prior scholarship and reports that record painted mouldings, painted statuary, and the use of metal and coloured materials in decoration. Appendices present additional essays and extracts that analyse the scope, methods, and degrees of Greek polychromy.