Greek sculptures lost their original colours Due to weathering
Due to weathering that lasted centuries, Greek sculptures lost their original colours such that they are best known for their unadorned marble facades which inspired renaissance art which laid the foundation for modern art. However, an exposition by Vinezerz Brinkman and Ulrike Koch Brinkman established the previous vividity of colour in ancient sculptures which was achieved through techniques such as x-rays and ultraviolet analysis. Greek sculptures such as “Lion from Loutraki” were previously detailed in vivid colours with numerous combinations that would appear too gaudy for modern art whose philosophy is derived from the weathered versions. These weathered versions cemented the use of simple facades through limited use of vivid colour and contrasting themes as is the case with most of the ancient sculptures.
I believe were the original colours to survive the weathering, the current understanding of colour would contrast the current subtle approach. Additionally, since the use of these colours was steeped in meaning such as status and religious connotations, the process of deriving meaning from artworks would be on the vividness and types of colours used. The modern iteration of this is India which has retained much of the appreciation and symbolism of vivid colours which are viewed with the same casualness as subtle colours in Western nations.
My viewpoint is, however, not absolute given the fluid nature of art and how it is interpreted, which can vary due to sudden changes in tastes and preferences. This is best exemplified by the variations between the similar but different Egyptian and Greek sculptures which despite sharing an origin, applied different principles. That notwithstanding, the vividness and symbolism of colour would still bear some significance to how art was created and interpreted.