Secco

Definition

Secco refers to a painting technique where pigments are applied to dry plaster. This method contrasts with fresco, where paint is applied to wet plaster. In mural painting, secco allows for greater detail and a wider range of colors, but it can be less durable than fresco, making it a significant technique in the creation of murals with specific themes and motifs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The secco technique was popular among ancient cultures, including the Maya, who used it to enhance their murals with intricate designs and vibrant colors.
2. Unlike fresco, which requires quick execution as the plaster dries, secco allows artists more time to work on details and layering of colors.
3. Secco is particularly vulnerable to damage from moisture, making murals painted in this technique susceptible to fading and peeling over time.
4. In Maya art, secco was often used in combination with other materials, such as natural resins and oils, to improve adherence and color saturation.
5. Many surviving examples of secco murals showcase scenes of mythology, rituals, and daily life, reflecting the cultural values and beliefs of the Maya civilization.

Review Questions

• How does the secco technique compare to fresco in terms of application and durability?
  • Secco differs from fresco in that it involves applying paint to dry plaster rather than wet plaster. This allows artists to work more slowly and add intricate details. However, while secco offers a wider range of color options and fine details, it is less durable than fresco, which bonds chemically with the plaster and withstands moisture better. As a result, murals painted using secco can suffer from fading and damage over time.
• Discuss the significance of using secco in the context of Maya mural art and how it influenced the themes portrayed.
  • Secco played an important role in Maya mural art by enabling artists to achieve intricate designs and vibrant colors that conveyed complex themes. By allowing for meticulous detail, this technique helped illustrate scenes of mythology, daily life, and rituals that were central to Maya culture. The use of secco contributed to a rich visual language that depicted not only aesthetic beauty but also communicated important cultural narratives and values.
• Evaluate the impact of environmental factors on the longevity of murals created using the secco technique compared to those done in fresco.
  • Murals created with the secco technique are significantly impacted by environmental factors due to their application on dry plaster. Unlike fresco murals that form a strong bond with wet plaster, secco murals are more vulnerable to moisture, leading to issues like fading and peeling over time. This means that while secco allows for artistic flexibility and richness in color during creation, it compromises durability when exposed to humid conditions. The long-term preservation of secco artworks requires careful consideration of their environment compared to more resilient fresco techniques.

Related terms

Fresco: A mural painting technique where water-based pigments are applied on freshly laid wet plaster, allowing for a chemical bond that makes the paint more durable.

Pigment: Colored powders used in painting that are mixed with a binder to create paint, essential for achieving various hues and shades in both secco and fresco techniques.

Mural: A large-scale painting or artwork directly applied to a wall or ceiling surface, often telling a story or conveying cultural themes.