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(; ) is an artistic or decorative technique of scratching through a coating on a hard surface to reveal parts of another underlying coating which is in a contrasting colour. It is produced on walls by applying layers of
plaster Plaster is a building material used for the protective or decorative coating of walls and ceilings and for moulding and casting decorative elements. In English, "plaster" usually means a material used for the interiors of buildings, while "re ...
tinted in contrasting colours to a moistened surface, and on
pottery Pottery is the process and the products of forming vessels and other objects with clay and other raw materials, which are fired at high temperatures to give them a hard and durable form. The place where such wares are made by a ''potter'' is al ...
by applying two successive layers of contrasting slip or glaze to an unfired ceramic body. The Italian
past participle In linguistics, a participle (; abbr. ) is a nonfinite verb form that has some of the characteristics and functions of both verbs and adjectives. More narrowly, ''participle'' has been defined as "a word derived from a verb and used as an adject ...
is also used for this technique, especially in reference to pottery.


Etymology

The term is based on the verb 'to scratch', which probably entered Italian through Lombardic and ultimately traces back to the Greek word 'to write'. The Italian prefix 's-' originates in the Latin prefix 'ex-', and is used in this case to intensify the basic meaning, so that 'to scratch' becomes 'to scratch off'.


History

Sgraffito on walls has been used in Europe since classical times. It was popularized in
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
in the 15th and 16th centuries and can be found in
African art African art encompasses modern and historical paintings, sculptures, installations, and other visual cultures originating from indigenous African diaspora, African communities across the African continent. The definition may also include the ar ...
. In combination with ornamental decoration, these techniques formed an alternative to the prevailing painting of walls. The technical procedure for sgraffito is relatively simple, resembling the process of painting frescoes. ''Sgraffito'' played a significant role during the
Italian Renaissance The Italian Renaissance ( ) was a period in History of Italy, Italian history between the 14th and 16th centuries. The period is known for the initial development of the broader Renaissance culture that spread across Western Europe and marked t ...
, with two of
Raphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (; March 28 or April 6, 1483April 6, 1520), now generally known in English as Raphael ( , ), was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. List of paintings by Raphael, His work is admired for its cl ...
's workshops, Polidoro da Caravaggio and his partner Maturino da Firenze, among the leading specialists. They painted palace facades in Rome and other cities; however, most of their work has since weathered. During the 16th century, the technique was brought to Germany by the master builders of the Renaissance and taken up with enthusiasm. As a simple native art, old examples of ''sgraffito'' can be found in the wide surroundings of
Wetterau The Wetterau (, ) is a fertile undulating tract, watered by the Wetter (river), Wetter, a tributary of the Nidda (river), Nidda River, in the western German state of Hesse, between the hilly province Oberhessen and the north-western Taunus mounta ...
and
Marburg Marburg (; ) is a college town, university town in the States of Germany, German federal state () of Hesse, capital of the Marburg-Biedenkopf Districts of Germany, district (). The town area spreads along the valley of the river Lahn and has ...
. In Germany, the technique is most predominant in
Bavaria Bavaria, officially the Free State of Bavaria, is a States of Germany, state in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the list of German states by area, largest German state by land area, comprising approximately 1/5 of the total l ...
. The use of ''sgraffito'' was common in the creation of housing façades for the purposes of advertising. The technique was also used in
Thuringia Thuringia (; officially the Free State of Thuringia, ) is one of Germany, Germany's 16 States of Germany, states. With 2.1 million people, it is 12th-largest by population, and with 16,171 square kilometers, it is 11th-largest in area. Er ...
, the
Engadin The Engadin or Engadine (;This is the name in the two Romansh idioms that are spoken in the Engadin, Vallader and Puter, as well as in Sursilvan and Rumantsch Grischun. In Surmiran, the name is ''Nagiadegna'', and in Sutsilvan, it is ''Gidegna'' ...
,
Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...
, and
Transylvania Transylvania ( or ; ; or ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Siweberjen'') is a List of historical regions of Central Europe, historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and ...
. In
Catalonia Catalonia is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationalities and regions of Spain, nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy of Catalonia of 2006, Statute of Autonomy. Most of its territory (except the Val d'Aran) is situate ...
, sgraffito gained prominence during the early 20th century, particularly through the influence of Noucentista neo-classical architects. This period marked a significant resurgence in interest in classical aesthetics and cultural identity, prompting architects to adopt sgraffito as a recurrent technique for embellishing façades. The intricate patterns and designs scratched into the plaster surfaces of buildings became emblematic of the region's architectural heritage, reflecting a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. As sgraffito adorned numerous buildings throughout Catalonia, it served as a decorative element and a symbol of cultural revival and artistic innovation during a transformative period in the region's history. Another application of sgraffito involves a simplified painting technique. Initially, a single coat of paint is applied and allowed to dry on a canvas or sheet of paper. Subsequently, a different color is painted over the first layer. Using a palette knife, oil stick, or similar tool, the artist then scratches out a design, revealing the underlying color. Alternatively, oil pastels may be used for the initial layer, with black ink applied on top. In some cases, the initial layer of paint may be omitted, and the artist scrapes back the wet coat to expose the canvas underneath. However, this method is not applicable when using oil pastels. This technique is frequently employed in art classes to introduce novice art students to the sgraffito technique. In the process of
stained glass Stained glass refers to coloured glass as a material or art and architectural works created from it. Although it is traditionally made in flat panels and used as windows, the creations of modern stained glass artists also include three-dimensio ...
creation, finely ground pigments of black, brown, and yellow colors, mixed with either water or glycerin, are delicately applied to sheet glass. Once the pigment mixture has dried, the artist can meticulously remove portions of it, revealing the light from beneath in intricate patterns. This technique of sgraffito is subtractive in nature, enabling the artist to work imagery into the surface of the glass. To permanently fuse the pigment to the glass, multiple firings in a kiln may be necessary. This firing process allows the maker to achieve high definition, contrast, and subtle gradients, utilizing a variety of tools to manipulate the pigment and create the desired effects.


Art Nouveau

Examples of graphic work on facades saw a resurgence through 1915, in the context of the rise of the
Arts and Crafts Movement The Arts and Crafts movement was an international trend in the decorative and fine arts that developed earliest and most fully in the British Isles and subsequently spread across the British Empire and to the rest of Europe and America. Initiat ...
, the Vienna Secession, and particularly the
Art Nouveau Art Nouveau ( ; ; ), Jugendstil and Sezessionstil in German, is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and ...
movement in Belgium and France. The English artist Heywood Sumner has been identified''Modern mural decoration'' by Alfred Lys Baldry, 1902 as this era's pioneer of the technique, for example his work at the 1892 St Mary's Church, Sunbury,
Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the wes ...
. Sumner's work is ''sgraffito per se'', scratched plaster, but the term has come to encompass a variety of techniques for producing exterior graphic decoration. The incorporation of floral motifs of intricate patterns that uses the contrast of the etching technique. Although the technique was popularized during the renaissance period, the modern craft movement adopted its usages and have incorporated the styles throughout the crafts movement such as
art nouveau Art Nouveau ( ; ; ), Jugendstil and Sezessionstil in German, is an international style of art, architecture, and applied art, especially the decorative arts. It was often inspired by natural forms such as the sinuous curves of plants and ...
that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century in ceramics, glass, and metals.


Applications across different mediums

* Glass: Sgraffito can be seen in both blown and stained glass windows, where skilled artisans carve intricate designs into the surface of the glass, creating stunning visual effects when illuminated. * Enamel: In the realm of enamelwork, sgraffito techniques are utilized to carve designs into the enamel surface, adding texture and dimension to the finished pieces. * Ceramics and Pottery: Sgraffito is perhaps most commonly associated with ceramics and pottery, where artists scratch through layers of glaze or slip to reveal contrasting colors or the natural clay body beneath, resulting in striking surface decoration. * Architecture: Sgraffito finds expression in architectural ornamentation, with elaborate designs adorning the facades of buildings, particularly in regions where the technique has historical significance. * Furniture: Though less common, sgraffito can also be found in furniture design, particularly in northern European regions like Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Here, it often appears as intricate patterns scratched onto wooden surfaces, adding a touch of folk art charm to furniture pieces. Other examples include: * Ceramic panels on the Grande Maison de Blanc, Brussels, architect Oscar François, artist Henri Privat-Livemont, 1896–1897 * The Hôtel Albert Ciamberlani, Brussels, architect Paul Hankar, ''sgraffito'' designs by Albert Ciamberlani and executed by , 1897. * The Golden House,
Charleroi Charleroi (, , ; ) is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. It is the largest city in both Hainaut and Wallonia. The city is situated in the valley of the Sambre, in the south-west of Belgium, not ...
(Belgium), ''sgraffito'' designs by Gabriel Van Dievoet 1899. * ''Princess of Dreams'' tile tympanum and other work, Hotel Metropol, Moscow, architect William Walcot, artist Mikhail Vrubel, 1899–1907 * Cauchie House, Brussels, architect Paul Cauchie, 1905 * Ceramic ''Homage to Prague'' tympanum of the Municipal House in Prague, architect Osvald Polívka, artist Karel Špillar, 1905–1912


Modern Usage

Sgraffito, locally known as xysta, is still practised in the village of Pyrgi on the island of Chios Greece. Here, most of the houses and public buildings are covered in rows of fine geometric patterns. originally, designed by the local craftsmen to demonstrate their range of patterns and skills. https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0h2sy22/the-greek-island-of-geometrical-wonders


Gallery

File:9736 - Firenze, Palazzo Nasi - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 27-Oct-2007.jpg, Palazzo Nasi,
Florence Florence ( ; ) is the capital city of the Italy, Italian region of Tuscany. It is also the most populated city in Tuscany, with 362,353 inhabitants, and 989,460 in Metropolitan City of Florence, its metropolitan province as of 2025. Florence ...
File:House in Olomouc.jpg, Building in
Olomouc Olomouc (; ) is a city in the Czech Republic. It has about 103,000 inhabitants, making it the Statutory city (Czech Republic), sixth largest city in the country. It is the administrative centre of the Olomouc Region. Located on the Morava (rive ...
File:Mais.Cauchie sgraf. 2e ét.JPG, Cauchie House,
Brussels Brussels, officially the Brussels-Capital Region, (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) is a Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium#Regions, region of Belgium comprising #Municipalit ...
File:Hotel Ciamberlani - sgraffite de l'étage, détail..JPG, Detail of Hôtel Albert Ciamberlani, Brussels File:Charleroi - Maison Dorée 1.JPG, Golden House, ''sgraffiti'' by Gabriel van Dievoet,
Charleroi Charleroi (, , ; ) is a city and a municipality of Wallonia, located in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. It is the largest city in both Hainaut and Wallonia. The city is situated in the valley of the Sambre, in the south-west of Belgium, not ...
, 1899. File:Mödling - Bürgerhaus Rathausgasse 6.JPG, Renaissance façade with ''sgraffito'' in
Mödling Mödling () is the capital of the Austrian Mödling (district), district of the same name located approximately 15 km south of Vienna. Mödling lies in Lower Austria's industrial zone (Industrieviertel). The Mödlingbach, a brook which rises ...
File:Althofen Salzburger Platz 6 Riederhaus West-Ansicht 20082018 4275.jpg, Renaissance façade with ''sgraffito'' in Althofen File:Pyrgi house1.JPG, House covered with ''sgraffito'' in the village of Pyrgi, Mastichochoria of
Chios Chios (; , traditionally known as Scio in English) is the fifth largest Greece, Greek list of islands of Greece, island, situated in the northern Aegean Sea, and the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, tenth largest island in the Medi ...
File:Casa del Gremi de Revenedors . façana esgrafiada 03.JPG, Building in
Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
File:GuentherZ 2007-04-28 2811 Drosendorf Rathaus.jpg, Town hall of Drosendorf-Zissersdorf File:Jindruchev Hradec - Haus am Markt - Sgraffito - Panorama.jpg, Building in
Jindřichův Hradec Jindřichův Hradec (; ) is a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 21,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected as an Cultural monument (Czech Republic)#Monument reservations, urb ...
File:1360 Montgomery Street, exterior, San Francisco (June 2020).jpg, ''Sgraffito'' mural on the Malloch Building in
San Francisco San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...


See also

* List of art techniques *
Scagliola Scagliola (from the Italian language, Italian ''scaglia'', meaning "chips") is a type of fine plaster used in architecture and sculpture. The same term identifies the technique for producing columns, sculptures, and other architectural elements t ...
*
Stucco Stucco or render is a construction material made of aggregates, a binder, and water. Stucco is applied wet and hardens to a very dense solid. It is used as a decorative coating for walls and ceilings, exterior walls, and as a sculptural and ...
*
Terrazzo Terrazzo is a composite material, poured in place or precast, which is used for floor and wall treatments. It consists of chips of marble, quartz, granite, glass, or other suitable material, poured with a cementitious binder (for chemical bind ...
* Venetian plaster * Scratchboard


References


External links


Sgraffito Collection
of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam.

{{Authority control Murals Plastering Types of pottery decoration Italian words and phrases Painting techniques