Final answer:
The painting process of applying pigment to fresh plaster is called fresco. This technique uses water-based pigments on wet plaster, chemically bonding as the plaster cures to create a durable artwork, most famously used during the Renaissance in Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The painting process in which pigment is applied to fresh plaster is known as fresco. In the fresco technique, water-based pigments are used on plaster that is still wet. The term fresco, from the Italian word for 'fresh', describes this method of painting that has been used for thousands of years. The pigment chemically bonds with the plaster as it cures, creating a durable piece of art. The more durable form of fresco, buon fresco, involves using alkaline-resistant pigments that are applied when the plaster is wet, as opposed to fresco-secco, which is applied on dry plaster that has been remoistened.
Examples of fresco painting can be found in various ancient civilizations, including during the Renaissance in Europe, where it was predominantly used to create Christian-themed art. The process of creating a fresco, especially larger ones, often required extensive preparations, including the use of scaffolding, patterns transferred onto the wall, and careful selection of pigments to ensure lasting color.