A fresco is a painting technique where pigments are applied onto freshly laid, wet plaster, allowing the paint to become an integral part of the wall as it dries. Frescoes were a popular art form in ancient Rome, used to decorate the interiors of homes, temples, and public buildings with vibrant images of myths, daily life, landscapes, and gods.
The frescoes of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, provide stunning examples of Roman wall painting. Scenes from Roman mythology, such as the depiction of Venus in the House of the Vettii, showcase the Romans’ artistic skills and their appreciation for color and detail.
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