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Which painting materials have been used to create murals throughout history?
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Mural
Detail of Religion, mural in lunette from the Family and Education series by Charles Sprague Pearce, 1897; in the Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C.
Throughout history, artists have utilized a diverse array of materials to create murals, adapting their techniques to the structural requirements of the wall and the desired aesthetic effect.
Traditional and Ancient Techniques
- Prehistoric Pigments: Early cave artists used natural earth pigments (ocher) and charcoal, often mixed with fat or applied as liquid pigment to rock surfaces.1
- Encaustic: Common in Classical Greco-Roman times, this method involves grinding colors into a molten beeswax or resin binder and applying them while hot.2
- Tempera: Practiced since ancient times, this technique uses an albuminous binder, such as egg yolk or egg white, diluted in water.2
- Fresco: This ancient and highly durable medium involves applying water-based pigments to plaster. In buon fresco ("true" fresco), pigments are applied to wet intonaco (fresh plaster), becoming an integral part of the wall as it dries. Alternatively, fresco secco ("dry" fresco) involves painting on dry walls soaked in limewater.34
Later Developments
- Oil Paint: Beginning in 16th-century Europe, oil paint on canvas became common for murals due to the convenience of studio production, though it is often considered less durable and less brilliant than other media.2
- Modern and Synthetic Media: Contemporary muralists have incorporated ceramics, fired porcelain enamel, and liquid silicates. Additionally, synthetic mediums like acrylic resin emulsions have become popular for their rapid drying, durability, and versatility.256