SGRAFFIATO Meaning and
Definition
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Sgraffiato is an Italian term derived from the verb "graffiare," meaning "to scratch." It is a decorative technique often used in pottery, ceramics, or mural painting, characterized by the scratching or carving of a design into a surface layer of applied paint or glaze to reveal a contrasting layer beneath.
The process of creating sgraffiato involves applying multiple layers of different colored substances, such as paint or glaze, onto a prepared surface. Once the upper layer is partially dried or still slightly tacky, a sharp tool like a stylus or a knife is used to incise through the upper layer, exposing the contrasting color or material underneath. The incisions are carefully made according to a predetermined design, resulting in a visually striking interplay between the exposed and covered areas.
Sgraffiato technique allows artists to achieve intricate and detailed surface decoration, creating elaborate patterns, images, or text. The contrast between the scratched lines and the base layer adds depth and visual interest to the finished artwork. Traditionally, sgraffiato was commonly used in Renaissance and Baroque architecture, often seen on facades, wall panels, or pottery pieces. However, this technique continues to be used today in contemporary art and design to create unique and visually appealing surfaces on a variety of mediums.
Sgraffiato's delicate balance between control and spontaneity, as well as its ability to create captivating surface textures, makes it a popular and enduring artistic technique.
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A kind of painting in which a ground of dark stucco is covered with a white coat, which last being partly scraped away in forming the design, the black ground appears and forms the shadows.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SGRAFFIATO
- sgraffuito
- agraffiato
- zgraffiato
- xgraffiato
- dgraffiato
- egraffiato
- wgraffiato
- sfraffiato
- svraffiato
- sbraffiato
- shraffiato
- syraffiato
- straffiato
- sgeaffiato
- sgdaffiato
- sgfaffiato
- sgtaffiato
- sg5affiato
- sg4affiato
- sgrzffiato
Etymology of SGRAFFIATO
The word "sgraffiato" originates from Italian, specifically from the verb "sgraffiare" which means "to scratch". It is derived from the Old High German word "skrapôn", meaning "to scrape or scratch", which eventually entered the Italian language. In the art context, "sgraffiato" refers to a technique where a surface layer of plaster or stucco is scratched to reveal a contrasting layer beneath, creating intricate designs or patterns. The term "sgraffiato" is often used to describe a specific type of decorative art, particularly seen in Renaissance and Baroque architecture.
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