Fresco

Fresco is a mural painting technique in which pigments are applied to freshly laid lime plaster. The technique relies on a chemical bonding that occurs as the plaster sets and carbonate binds the pigment, creating a durable wall image. The term fresco comes from the Italian affresco, meaning fresh.

Typical fresco work uses lime plaster in layers. The first coat, the arriccio, provides a rough surface. A fine top coat, the intonaco, is laid over a damp surface. The painter then applies pigments mixed with water to this wet plaster. As the plaster dries, the colors become an integral part of the wall. This method is known as buon fresco (true fresco). A related approach, fresco secco, applies pigments to dry plaster with adhesives or binders; it is less durable and prone to flaking.

Fresco has a prominent place in art history, especially in Italy during the Renaissance. Early examples include Giotto’s fresco program in the Cappella degli Scrovegni in Padua, while the high Renaissance includes Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling. The technique has been used around the world, from murals in churches to decorative programs in public buildings and private homes.

Maintenance and conservation pose challenges for frescoes, as environmental changes and prior restoration can disturb the plaster and pigment. Modern artists also continue to employ fresco or fresco-inspired methods, sometimes combining it with newer materials for urban murals and restoration projects.