An Introduction to Buon Fresco

Detail from the Hall of Bulls, Lascaux Cave, Francecirca 15,000 BCE (Chevaux paintings approx. 30,000 BCE)

The Ancient Agean Toreador Fresco, circa 1500 BCE

Pompeiian Frescoes 79 CE

Early RenaissanceGiotto’s, The Lamentation, 1305-1306

GiottoMourning of St. Francis

Michelangelo

Detail of the Sistine Chapel, 1508-12

Restoration 1980-99

An unknown colorist?

Or, is there a case to me made that the ceiling may have had “Secco” touches removed?

Diego RiveraDetroit Industry, 1932-33

Diego RiveraThe Making of the Fresco, 1931

Coit Tower, WPA Frescoes, San Francisco

John Langley Howard’s “California Industrial Scenes” Coit Tower, Circa 1935

Basic Materials

1. Lime: lime putty, aka Calcium Hydroxide)2. Aggregate: river sand, or crushed marble)3. Pigment: oxides of metal, as they are alkali

resistant4. A rigid support: Walls, ceramic tiles, portable

supports

ProcessPrepare the support

and materials

Apply the “Scratch Coat”

Apply and level the brown coat(s)

Apply the “Intonaco”. But only what can be finished in one day!(a giornata)

Transfer the “cartoon”

Paint!

The red line beneath the intonaco is referred to as the “Sinopia”

Carefully chip away unfinished portions

Finito !