Documentary · Ancient Greek art · Colour and reconstruction

Polychromia: Archaeology of Colors — Ancient Greece

Stage to confirm · 2026

Olivier Lemaître investigates the lost colours of ancient Greek art in a documentary listed by ARTE.

View towards the Acropolis from the Pnyx in Athens — The Pnyx and Acropolis, Athens. Contextual photograph; not a production still. George E. Koronaios · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped and resized.

The production story

The documentary follows scientific investigation into the appearance of ancient artworks and monuments, challenging the familiar image of an entirely white classical world.

ARTE’s distribution page identifies the director, producers, 52- and 90-minute versions and a 2026 production year. The catalogue entry alone does not establish whether filming continues, delivery is complete or a public premiere has taken place.

Known filming locations

Knossos and the Parthenon sculptures are subjects in the synopsis. They are not treated here as confirmed filming locations.

Developments

2026 catalogue · checked 11 September
ARTE lists the title and production credits. Current production stage remains unconfirmed. Source ↗

Independent production monitoring — inclusion does not imply a collaboration with Archaeopolis.