Fresco pigments
Description
A group of pigments that remain stable and chemically resistant to the lime plaster used as a base in fresco paintings. The highly alkaline, lime base in fresco paintings may react with and alter the color of some pigments. For example, blue Prussian blue and yellow chrome yellow both discolor within a few hours. white Lead white may turn black slowly. Other pigments, such as some blue, natural ultramarines and black ivory black, may contain dissolved salts that will slowly leach to the surface and leave a white efflorescence. Examples of fresco pigments are: black carbon black, oxide iron oxide, oxide chromium oxide, and blue cobalt blue.
Synonyms and Related Terms
limeproof pigments; pigmentos para el fresco (Esp.); pigmentos resistentes a la cal (Esp.); pigments pour fresque (Fr.); pigmentos para pintura a fresco (Port.)
Additional Information
K.Wehlte, The Materials and Techniques of Painting, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1975.
Additional Images
Detail of fresco
Authority
- Ralph Mayer, Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
- Kurt Wehlte, Kurt Wehlte, The Materials and Techniques of Painting, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, 1975 Comment: p. 254