A bit more about the difficulty of creating frescoes

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I wrote about attending an exhibition wherein Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes were shown on great photographic panels. I didn’t really understand how frescoes were created until I read a simple explanation in the book I’ve just finished reading. It’s an autobiography called By My Own Authority by Marian Pretzel, a graphic designer and artist. Marian was a Polish Jew and had many adventures before finally making his way to Australia. During some time spent in Dragasani in Roumania, he helped an elderly man create a frescoe for a competition and he explains the process in simple terms. I quote: Frescoes are intended to last for hundreds of years and the preparation of the surface is of great importance. A large section of wall has to be perfectly cement-rendered, and the drawing then traced upon it and painted while the cement is still wet. Damp hessian can be hung over the work in progress to retain moisture. Can you imagine doing this while flat on your back six stories above the ground? No wonder Michelangelo was driven to despair at times. I’ve shown the photo before but it was difficult to take good photos in the warehouse. Vince took this one.