Students learn Byzantine fresco technique with Dr. Adrian Rauca from Romania

Publishing Date: 28.08.2024

Making frescoes like in ancient Byzantium - students of conservation and restoration at the HAWK in Hildesheim have now been able to experience it first-hand. Dr. Adrian Rauca from the University of Art and Design Cluj-Napoca in Romania visited the HAWK Faculty of Architecture, Engineering and Conservation to conduct a workshop as part of the ERASMUS+ programme.

For a whole week, the future conservators were able to work on the production of frescoes and create their own works. “We don't normally deal with producing things from scratch,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Barbara Beckett, who is responsible for the Stone Objects and Architectural Surfaces course. “But experiencing the production process for themselves helps students to get a feel for the materials and understand techniques.” This would later make it easier for them to recognize weaknesses in objects that may have already arisen during production.

This is why students in the Stone Objects and Architectural Surfaces course learn about various mural painting techniques as part of project weeks. This also includes the fresco technique. “Fresco is nothing other than painting in the still damp lime plaster,” explains Beckett. This brings its own unique challenges. “The students only have a short period of time to paint and corrections can only be made to a limited extent, as the paint powder becomes firmly embedded as the lime plaster sets.” This makes preparation all the more important and time-consuming.

Beckett has invited Dr. Adrian Rauca, a specialist in this field, to practice a Byzantine fresco technique with the students. This is characterized by a high fibre content in the plaster, which makes it easy to smooth. Rauca teaches conservation and restoration as well as various painting techniques at his home university. The contact with the HAWK came about through Rauca's involvement in the EU project “EwaGlos”. The Hornemann Institute, a HAWK institution, coordinated the “EwaGlos” project.

This type of international exchange is extremely important for the students, explains Beckett. “They get to know the international working world, become familiar with English technical language and learn important soft skills.” This is why HAWK students also regularly take part in workshops at the Romanian university.