Polychrome
An object painted in many colors, especially a sculpture.
What is it?
Polychrome comes from Greek words meaning "many colors." In art, it describes sculptures or buildings that are painted in bright colors. Many ancient Greek and Roman statues were originally polychrome, but the paint faded over time. In the Middle Ages, wooden sculptures of saints and religious figures were often painted in polychrome to make them look more lifelike and beautiful. The Holy Family sculpture you captured is a polychrome wood carving.
Why it matters
Polychrome shows that artists didn't just shape the material — they also used color to tell stories and create emotion. It reminds us that many old artworks we see today as plain white or brown were once bright and colorful.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more polychrome objects.