Spring fresco
by Andonis Katanos
Title
Spring fresco
Artist
Andonis Katanos
Medium
Photograph - Archaeological Photography
Description
Wall-painting of Akrotiri found in situ, covered by the volcanic materials.The fresco depicts the rocky Theran landscape before the volcanic eruption : clusters of red lilies with yellow stems dominate the red and grey volcanic formations, while swallows swoop above, alone or in flirtatious pairs, animating the scene and symbolically announcing nature's annual rebirth. The stone built walls were covered first with clay mixed with straw then with a thick layer of plaster and lastly with successive thin plaster layers. The painter sketched the preliminary design on the wet surface using twine and and a pointed tool.The paint was also applied on a wet surface, which led to its good preservation,although some details were added after the plaster had dried. The colours were either mineral (iron for dark red) or yellow ochre,or synthetic (pyrite with cooper and lime oxides for light blue).
Uploaded
November 21st, 2011
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