Sgrafitto in Portugal: a contribution to its study and preservation

Abstract eng:
This article intends to provide awareness to the particular value of sgraffito in architectonic surfaces and alert towards the need to safeguard its aesthetical and material authenticity. Recent research led to the discovery of an unknown and wide presence of sgraffiti in some urban and rural Portuguese ancient architecture; most of them are now at risk, since they are often forgotten or confused with other mural decorative techniques. One of the most important results of our research on sgraffito (developed under the scope of a PhD in architecture on the subject “Conservation of the architectural surfaces in Alentejo”) is the fact that the majority of the listed sgraffito ornaments have been painted over so many times, that today we can hardly identify its original aspect, its formal and chromatic value or its textures. We will describe the sgraffito’s concept, application techniques, the risks it faces, emphasizing the need to change intervention methodologies in order to promote its safeguard in urban areas and rural landscapes.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket