Monumental painting is a type of monumental art associated with architecture. In other words, this is painting on stationary (architectural) structures. This is the oldest art form known from the Paleolithic, which is durable due to its specificity.
From the history of monumental painting
The first works of monumental painting can be considered painting in the caves of Lyasko, Altamir and others. It was widely used in funerary and temple complexes of Ancient Egypt, as well as in the Crito-Mycenaean architecture that almost did not reach us.
Since early antiquity, monumental painting has become the main decorative element in the decoration of stone, concrete and brick structures. The fresco and mosaic were widely used in the temple architecture of Byzantium and due to this they had a great influence on the monumental art of Ancient Russia.
Modern masters of monumental painting boldly combine painting with sculptural forms, apply new art materials - synthetic paints, ceramic relief mosaics.
In the art of the Middle Ages, the stained glass technique was greatly developed. The great masters of the Renaissance created many grandiose frescoes in design and embodiment. Today, artists are actively mastering new techniques and materials for creating frescoes and mosaics.
Distinctive features of monumental painting
Monumental painting includes stained-glass windows, frescoes, mosaic decoration of buildings. Speaking in a synthesis with architecture, works of monumental art are often an important semantic dominant of the ensemble.
Decorating walls, facades, ceilings give monumental painting close to decorative art architectonic and ornamental qualities. Therefore, it is often called decorative and monumental art.
According to the figurative and thematic content, it is customary to distinguish monumental and decorative murals and works with features of monumentality. Both directions stem from the peculiarity of this type of painting - synthetics and direct connection with architectural objects.
Typically, fine compositions placed on facades and interiors embody the most general philosophical and social ideas of the time. This dictates the grandeur of the forms. Works that possess features of monumentality are characterized by socially significant content. So, the founder of the Mexican school of monumental painting Siqueiros in his paintings of the National Preparatory School, the Palace of Fine Arts, the National Museum of History reflected the most acute political events.
The works of another founder of the Mexican school of monumental painting - Diego Rivera - are openly journalistic and historical-informative. He used monumental painting as a means of propaganda, agitation and enlightenment.
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