Why are the colours of frescoes so vivid?
pehr-KEH ee koh-LOH-ree DELY-ee af-FRES-kee SO-noh koh-ZEE vee-VA-chee.
When viewing frescoes and struck by the intensity of colour despite their age. An intellectually curious question that invites a discussion of painting materials and conservation.
Perché means why. I colori degli affreschi means the colours of the frescoes. Così vivaci means so vivid. This question touches on the chemistry of fresco painting — pigments bond with the lime plaster and become incredibly durable.
Come si sono conservati così bene?
How have they been preserved so well?
About conservation of ancient paintings.
I colori erano ancora più vivaci originariamente?
Were the colours even more vivid originally?
Historical question about original appearance.
Cosa ha causato il deterioramento?
What has caused the deterioration?
About damage factors like humidity and pollution.
The buon fresco technique forces artists to work quickly and decisively — the pigment must be applied while the plaster is still wet. This gave Italian fresco painters extraordinary speed and confidence. Michelangelo reportedly worked in sections of about one square metre per day on the Sistine ceiling.