Glossary Term: Fresco

Fresco. Fresco ("Fresh" in Italian) was a common painting technique in Gothic art and during the early Renaissance. It was a favorite technique for painting enormous murals on church or home walls.

In fresco, artists first spread wet plaster onto the wall. Then, while the plaster is still wet, the artist applies the pigment directly onto the plaster, mixing and spreading it quickly. Fresco artists must paint quickly—once the plaster dries, the paint becomes part of the wall and the painting cannot be changed.

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