fresco
UK: ˈfrɛskəʊ | US: ˈfrɛskoʊ
n. a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling
n. the method of painting on wet plaster
vt. to paint in fresco
The word "fresco" comes directly from Italian, where it means "fresh" or "cool." This reflects the technique's requirement for wet ("fresh") plaster during painting. The Italian term itself derives from the Germanic word friskaz (fresh, lively), highlighting the vividness and immediacy of the art form. The connection between "freshness" and the painting method underscores the time-sensitive nature of fresco work, as artists must apply pigments before the plaster dries.
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling is a masterpiece of fresco painting.
The artist spent weeks preparing the wall for the fresco.
Fresco techniques were widely used during the Renaissance.
The church's interior features a stunning fresco of biblical scenes.
She studied traditional fresco methods in Italy.