Altar of the Civic Crown (inv. no. FAN.1992.345)

Description: The altar has been found in the Roman Theatre of Arles, probably located in the orchestra. It is part of an organic group, together with other two altars, that of Apollo and that of the Swans (see the specific forms).

The altar is adorned on the main face with a crown of oak leaves tied with a thick ribbon. On the secondary sides are depicted respectively an urceus and a patera, libation tools and symbols of pietas in the Augustan propaganda.

Analytical methods: VIS; UV; MO VIS; MO UV
Autoptic examination: The colours are almost invisible to the naked eye.
Imaging: Iron traces (black zones) appear under UV light. Other area of fluorescence are visible around the oak crown, probably related to an organic binder.
On the background, traces of a translucid light yellow pigment are detected under the miscroscope.; FAN.1992_345_fig.1

Under painting traces: no
Pigments: White lead, vermilion, ochre, vegetable black.
Binder: n.d.
Stratigraphy: Preparatory layer of lead white.
Shading: Blue
Metallic traces: no
Tools marks: no
Background colour: Yellow
Apparent marble parts: no
Restorations: no
Polychromy technique: The background has been painted with a translucid light yellow pigment. The leaves of the crown show traces of a brown paint and shadows made with blue spots. The ribbons retain red marks. The patera, the urceus and the crown acorns are painted in dark grey.

Highlighting motifs: Chromatic correspondence with the decorative apparatus of the altar display context and symbolic use of color.
Polychromy type: The use of dark grey for acorns, patera and urceus could be linked to the desire to imitate the metallic appearance of silver objects.

The chosen palette, with the prevalence of red and yellow colors, is closely connected to the complex decorative apparatus of the theater, made of precious colored marbles. The Altar of the Civic Crown is well placed in this context of exhibition, together with the other two altars, that of Apollo and that of the Swans (see the specific forms), which are part of an organic group.
Immagini Tipologia della policromia: FAN.1992_345_fig3

Bibliography: Neri, E, de Larquier, N, & Strivay, D 2024, 'Colorer et entretenir la couleur : analyse du décor sculpté des autels du théâtre d’Arles', in E Neri (eds), Polychroma. The Meaning of Colours in Roman Sculptures, Silvana Editoriale, Cinisello Balsamo, pp. 226-239.