Buon fresco

Definition

Buon fresco is a painting technique that involves applying water-based pigments onto freshly laid wet plaster. This method allows the colors to become an integral part of the wall as the plaster dries, making the artwork durable and vibrant. In the context of medieval art, buon fresco played a significant role in the decoration of churches and cathedrals, enhancing their spiritual and aesthetic appeal with vivid imagery that conveyed religious narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Buon fresco was widely used in medieval Europe, especially during the Gothic period, to illustrate biblical scenes and saints' lives on church walls.
2. The technique requires skilled artisans who must work quickly before the plaster dries, as it must be applied while still wet for optimal adhesion.
3. Colors used in buon fresco are made from natural pigments, which, when combined with lime in the wet plaster, create a chemical bond that enhances color longevity.
4. One of the most famous examples of buon fresco is Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling, showcasing not only the technique's potential but also its significance in religious art.
5. Medieval artists often used buon fresco to convey moral lessons and religious themes to an illiterate population, effectively using visual storytelling as a form of communication.

Review Questions

• How does the technique of buon fresco differ from fresco secco, and what implications does this have for the durability and appearance of artworks?
  • Buon fresco involves painting on wet plaster, allowing pigments to bond with the wall as it dries, resulting in more vibrant and durable artwork. In contrast, fresco secco uses dry plaster, which can lead to flaking and fading over time. This difference affects not only the longevity of the artwork but also its visual impact; buon fresco creates a richer and more integrated appearance within architectural spaces.
• Discuss the role of buon fresco in conveying religious narratives within medieval churches and how it influenced public perception of art during that time.
  • Buon fresco was instrumental in decorating medieval churches with vivid representations of biblical stories and saints' lives. This method allowed artists to create large-scale murals that communicated moral lessons and religious teachings to largely illiterate congregations. By transforming church interiors into visual storytelling spaces, buon fresco helped to reinforce faith and foster a deeper connection between worshippers and their spirituality.
• Evaluate the cultural significance of buon fresco in medieval art compared to other painting techniques like tempera and its influence on subsequent art movements.
  • Buon fresco held considerable cultural significance during medieval times, serving as a primary method for large-scale religious artworks that adorned churches. Compared to tempera, which was mainly used for smaller panel paintings, buon fresco allowed for grand narratives that engaged viewers on a monumental scale. Its emphasis on permanence and vibrancy laid foundational principles that influenced later art movements like Renaissance painting, where similar techniques were adapted and refined to achieve even greater artistic expression.

Related terms

Fresco secco: A technique where pigments are applied to dry plaster, resulting in less durability than buon fresco, as the colors may flake or fade over time.

Tempera: A medium made from pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder like egg yolk, commonly used for panel painting during the medieval period.

Mural: A large-scale painting or artwork that is applied directly onto a wall or ceiling, often utilizing techniques like buon fresco to create immersive environments.