Zeuxis and Parrhasius, Pliny the Elder, Roman Painting - Coloring the Past (73)

Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds

ancientartpodcast.org/73

Pliny the Elder shares with us the tale of dueling artists Zeuxis and Parrhasius as they battled for the title of who could paint a more beguilingly realistic trompe-l'oeil ("fools the eye") masterpiece. We also hear another short story of Zeuxis's dashed pride. This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents of noisy kids, beeping proximity alarms, and echoing reverb. Please forgive the poor sound quality.

Gallery Talk: Coloring the Past (American Sign Language-interpreted)
Art Institute of Chicago
March 9, 2017
"How does our modern lens shape the way we see ancient works of art? Explore the use, meaning, and manufacture of color in ancient art with museum educator Lucas Livingston. This gallery talk will be interpreted in American Sign Language."

Image:
Adriaen van der Spelt (Dutch, 1630-1673) and Frans van Mieris (Dutch, 1635-1681)
Trompe-l'Oeil Still Life with a Flower Garland and a Curtain, 1658
Oil on panel
18 1/4 x 25 1/8 in. (46.5 x 63.9 cm)
Inscribed lower left: van der Spelt.1658
Art Institute of Chicago, 1949.585

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