HOW IS A FRESCO DETATCHED FROM A WALL?

HOW IS A FRESCO DETATCHED FROM A WALL?

This video shows how one of our frescoes are “born”, from the preparation of the “spolvero” (pouncing bag filled with charcoal dust) and execution of the fresco on the wall by one of our Art Masters, through to the “strappo” (detachment) and “riporto” (transfer) stages, also known as the Metodo Calicot.

THE FRESCO TECHNIQUE AND CALICOT METHOD (OR “STRAPPO” ON CANVAS)

This process enables us to offer customers an authentic fresco, created in our laboratory according to the ancient technique and transferred onto a canvas to be shipped to the place of installation, either glued to the wall or secured on a frame like a painting.

The beauty of the colours and natural tones are guaranteed by following the ancient “buon fresco” method, which has been used since the Renaissance. An indispensable component of this process is the carbonatation of the lime, which fixes the colour in the plaster ensuring durability of the fresco for future generations.

FRESCO SCHOOL, AN ACADEMY INSIDE THE COMPANY

In 2017, Mariani Affreschi opened the “Academy”, Fresco Painting School (click here for the courses), which combined the organisation of a production laboratory with the training of young artists wishing to learn the secrets of this fascinating and ancient art form. The teachers of the fresco courses are experts from the Mariani team, real Masters of Art, who are able to train students in the theoretical concepts and practical application of the fresco, just as they did in the ancient Renaissance workshops and in art and craft schools.

 

THE KEY STAGES OF THE FRESCO PAINTING PROCESS, UP TO THE “STRAPPO” AND TRANSFER

Below is a sequence of images illustrating each step of the fresco technique and of the “strappo” executed in our laboratory. The following of each step, in accordance with ancient methods, is a guarantee of authenticity for every customer who wants to buy a “Mariani Fresco”.

 

The artist prepares the base of fresh plaster according to the size of the painting

The artist prepares the base of fresh plaster according to the size of the painting

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A bagful of colour is prepared for the "bag of soot" process (spolvero)

A bagful of colour is prepared for the “bag of soot” process (spolvero)

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The dusting ("bag to soot") is executed with the use of a preparatory drawing, a typical phase of the fresco technique

The dusting (“bag to soot”) is executed with the use of a preparatory drawing, a typical phase of the fresco technique

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The artist starts painting the fresco on the wet plaster

The artist starts painting the fresco on the wet plaster

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The natural earth on the wet plaster is crystallised via the carbonatation process

The natural earth on the wet plaster is crystallised via the carbonatation process

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The technician applies glue on the fresco after the plaster has dried

The technician applies glue on the fresco after the plaster has dried

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A canvas is placed on the fresco, before it is pulled off or “strappato”

A canvas is placed on the fresco, before it is pulled off or “strappato”

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The fresco is pulled off the wall according to the Calicot method

The fresco is pulled off the wall according to the Calicot method

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After the fresco has been removed from the wall, any remaining plaster is removed from the “negative” side of the fresco

After the fresco has been removed from the wall, any remaining plaster is removed from the “negative” side of the fresco

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New glue is applied on the negative side of the fresco to transfer it to positive

New glue is applied on the negative side of the fresco to transfer it to positive

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Glue is applied on the second canvas where the “positive” side of the fresco will lie

Glue is applied on the second canvas where the “positive” side of the fresco will lie

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The fresco is washed to detach it from the first canvas

The fresco is washed to detach it from the first canvas

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The positive image of the fresco returns on the second canvas. This is known as the Calicot method

The positive image of the fresco returns on the second canvas. This is known as the Calicot method

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Some finishing touches are made on the fresco before it is shipped to the customer

Some finishing touches are made on the fresco before it is shipped to the customer

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