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What is Venetian Plaster

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Venetian plaster, or marble plaster, or polished plaster, or Stucco Lustro Veneziano. These are some of the names that are given to a quite remarkable and unique wall covering developed by the Venetians. Let me take you on a journey back in time to 14th Century Venice and try to imagine.

The shadow and darkness of the Middle Ages have long disappeared; they have made way for new light, the splendour of the renaissance. Man discovers a new dimension, he is more sure of himself, more concerned with his body, better disposed towards beauty, more thirsty for knowledge and culture and more open to the joy of living.

It is in this period, the 14th Century, so rich and full of value that even the minor artists of the time are awakened. The Venetian painters of the time are open to new experience and seek new stucco, which, with its beauty and warmth could lend itself to the large frescos and great works of the age. A stucco capable of enduring over time. A stucco capable of expressing a refined elegance.

So it was that the Venetian painters began to work on a blend of the finest marbles, powders, and lime to obtain a mixture  which has become legendary, and known as Venetian stucco. They also discovered the technique for the application of this stucco to the wall: a technique which conceals a thousand little secrets much effort and much time: a technique which over time had been, however, lost and forgotten.

This superb liquid marble wall covering is now available from Ital.

This ancient material originating from lime and marble can be brought to a high polish, a low polish, a matte finish and be smooth or granular to the touch. Natural lime plasters have been around since the Egyptians but the Venetians in the 16th Century took it to new levels by adding natural colour pigment.