What technique characterizes Roman fresco painting?

The technique that characterizes Roman fresco painting involves the use of watercolors on wet plaster, also known as buon fresco. This method entails applying pigments mixed with water onto freshly laid wet plaster, allowing the colors to bond with the plaster as it dries. As the plaster sets, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall surface, resulting in highly durable and vivid artworks that have survived for centuries. This technique not only allowed for greater permanence but also offered vibrant color applications, which contributed to the grandeur of Roman interiors.

In contrast, oil painting on canvas is not characteristic of Roman frescoes, as this technique emerged much later during the Renaissance. Watercolors on dry plaster would not achieve the same level of adherence and durability, as the pigments would flake off over time. Similarly, acrylics on wood panel are a modern medium that did not exist during the Roman era, and thus are irrelevant to the context of Roman fresco painting.