Fresco refers to

• A. a painting on dry plaster
• B. a painting on wet plaster
• C. a cornice pattern
• D. a plaster repair technique

Answer: (B)

Fresco refers to painting on wet plaster. In this technique, the plaster on the wall is applied while still damp, and pigments mixed with water are painted onto the fresh surface. As the plaster dries, a chemical bond forms between the lime in the plaster and the pigment, making the image part of the wall and very durable. Artists work in sections called giornate, completing each patch before the plaster dries. This approach is distinct from painting on dry plaster (fresco secco), which relies on binders and is not as durable. The other options describe patterns or repair methods, not the fresco painting method.