fresco

[ fres-koh ]

noun

, plural fres·coes, fres·cos.

1. Also called buon fresco, the art or technique of painting on a moist, plaster surface with colors ground up in water or a limewater mixture. Compare fresco secco.
2. a picture or design so painted.

verb (used with object)

, fres·coed, fres·co·ing.

1. to paint in fresco.

fresco

/ ˈfrɛskəʊ /

noun

1. a very durable method of wall-painting using watercolours on wet plaster or, less properly, dry plaster ( fresco secco ), with a less durable result
2. a painting done in this way

fresco

1. A painting on wet plaster. When the plaster dries, the painting is bonded to the wall. Fresco was a popular method for painting large murals during the Renaissance . , by Leonardo da Vinci , is a fresco, as are the paintings by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel .

Other Words From

• fres·co·er fres·co·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fresco¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Italian: “cool, fresh,” of Germanic origin; fresh

Word History and Origins

Origin of fresco¹

C16: from Italian: fresh plaster, coolness, from fresco (adj) fresh, cool, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

And Pope Alexander VI had the painter Pinturicchio disguise his mistress as the Virgin Mary in one fresco.

From The Daily Beast

Dining facilities include al fresco picnic tables and bucolic fields adjacent to the pastures.

From The Daily Beast

Authorities had not noticed that missing fresco, which had been taken from the House of the Orchard, until it was returned.

From The Daily Beast

As I read this, I imagined a fresco depicting the economic section of the document.

From The Daily Beast

This 13th-century fresco of a lion was painted near Burgos in Spain, probably by an itinerant English artist from Winchester.

From The Daily Beast

Beneath the portico, numbers of servants and retainers were lounging about, enjoying the fresco.

From Project Gutenberg

In thisPg 89 church is a remarkable altar fresco which was executed by the late Lord Leighton.

From Project Gutenberg

On the outer walls of the principal temple are wretched daubs in fresco, representing the state of eternal punishment.

From Project Gutenberg

The walls and ceiling were often covered with fresco paintings, frequently of elegant design, to be hereafter described.

From Project Gutenberg

The following fresco from the Catacomb of St. Priscilla is a characteristic example.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brush
• coat
• cover
• daub
• decorate
• depict
• design
• draw
• dye
• portray
• sketch
• tint
• wash