Minoan wall fresco paintings

The art of fresco paintings

Fresco is the art of painting on plastered walls. It’s a method of painting water-based pigments on freshly applied plaster, usually on wall surfaces.

The colours, which are made by grinding dry-powder pigments in pure water, dry and set with the plaster to become a permanent part of the wall

This medium was one of ancient Greek civilization’s art forms: interiors of villas and palaces were covered with fanciful impressions of life and nature in the Greek world. They often included intricate designs and details, such as greek jewelry.

Fresco artists were widely patronized by royalty and the wealthier members of society.

How were fresco paintings made?

A wall was prepared for painting with a thin layer of white lime plaster. Then, using an obsidian chip or other sharp instrument, the artist outlined the main features and sketched in important details.

Next, the colours were applied, often while the surface was still moist so that they soaked in and made the painted images more durable.

Due to the fast drying time of plaster, ancient greek wall frescoes were executed quickly with fluid brushstrokes and graceful curving lines, producing dynamic movement of the figures and landscapes.

Pigments used for fresco during this time included saffron, iron ore and indigo.