Pronunciation: [fɹˈɛskə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
The word "fresco" is spelled with the letters f-r-e-s-c-o. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced /ˈfres.koʊ/. The 'f' sound is represented by the symbol /f/, the 'r' sound by /r/, the 'e' sound by /ɛ/, the 's' sound by /s/, and the 'c' sound by /k/. The final 'o' sound is represented by /oʊ/. 'Fresco' refers to a technique of painting with watercolors on fresh plaster, and it has its origins in Ancient Rome.
Fresco is a technique of mural painting that involves applying pigments directly on wet plaster or freshly laid lime mortar on a wall or ceiling surface. The term "fresco" is derived from the Italian word "affresco," meaning "fresh." This ancient art form dates back to ancient Egypt and Greece, and it reached its peak during the Renaissance in Italy.
To create a fresco, the artist prepares a wall by first coating it with several layers of fresh lime mortar. Then, they sketch the desired image onto the surface and work quickly to apply pigments mixed with water directly onto the wet plaster. As the plaster dries, a chemical reaction occurs, causing the pigments to be absorbed, resulting in a durable and long-lasting painting. The artist must work swiftly and efficiently before the plaster dries completely, as subsequent layers cannot be applied to the dried surface.
Frescoes are known for their vibrant colors and smooth, matte finish. They have been widely used to decorate the interiors of churches, palaces, and other grand buildings as a way to narrate historical events or depict religious stories. Notable examples of frescoes can be found in iconic locations such as the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Italy, featuring the famous frescoes by Michelangelo.
Fresco, as a term, can also refer to the final artwork created through this technique. It has become synonymous with mural paintings done on plastered surfaces. Today, frescoes continue to be admired for their artistic and historical significance, with contemporary artists incorporating the traditional techniques and styles into their creations.
Duskiness like that of the evening or the morning; coolness; a method of painting on walls freshly plastered: al fresco, in the open air.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fresco" comes from the Italian language. It is derived from the Latin word "fresco", which means "fresh". The Latin term "fresco" is derived from the adjective "friscus", meaning "cool" or "fresh". The term was originally used to describe the technique of painting on fresh, wet plaster, which was a prevalent method during the Renaissance period. Over time, the term "fresco" also came to refer to the artwork produced using this technique.
