Imagine living in ancient Pompeii when all of a sudden the ground starts to rumble and the sky turns black. Vesuvius is erupting! After thousands died and their homes and paintings were destroyed, there was one art form that survived, the Roman fresco. The key to its survival is that the art is in the walls! When people discovered that the frescoes were unharmed, they were shocked! The frescoes were painted as soon as the walls were built and the coatings were installed. As the plaster began to harden and dry, they painted the design on the wall. The paint mixed with the plaster, and as long as the wall was in place, the art was there. The first known form of fresco was that of Egyptian tombs and walls, hieroglyphics. They depicted animals, royalty, slaves, buildings and much more. Frescoes evolved from Egyptian tombs to the homes of wealthy Roman families. They started by showing history or maps, but the Romans considered frescoes to be art and so began to paint people, animals and nature on the walls. Frescoes were also popular during the Renaissance era, as Michelangelo used the same techniques as the Romans to create masterpieces in churches. There are two types of frescoes: Buon frescoes and Secco frescoes. The Buon frescoes were created in a few, sometimes complicated, steps. First, they have to make plaster. Then apply it to the wall on which you want to install a fresco. In most cases, the frescoes were created when a wall had just been built or was relatively new. While the plaster was still wet, the artist painted a picture on it. To create a Secco Fresco, you would use dry plaster and then spread something wet, like an egg yolk, onto the wall. Secco murals are simpler to create than the middle of paper... so unique that you will never find anything like it in today's art world. Frescoes were unlike any other painting technique because they involved a damp wall and plaster. Overall, the Romans were truly geniuses! Works Cited Thompson, Nancy L. “Roman Art.” The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Home. Np, and Web. March 23, 2014. “Interview: Margaret Koval.” PBS. PBS and Web. March 23, 2014. Milani-Santarpia, Giovanni. “Painting Techniques of the Ancient Romans.” Mariamilani.com. Np, and Web. March 21, 2014.Zanzig, Laura. “Art History Presentation Archives.” Art History Presentation Archives. Np, January 9, 2007. Web. March 25, 2014. “What were Roman frescoes used for? Wiki Answers. Answers Company. Internet. March 31. 2014. .