Stucco / Plaster (Venetian Plaster)
Stucco in modern day Construction has a completely different meaning than that of the ancients that used it thousands of years ago.  Stucco today in the United States and parts of North & South America is a product used like Portland Cement® on exteriors to protect and enhance the design aspects of most modern construction projects.

However, Stucco in many other areas of the world has a different meaning.  The origins of stucco (plaster, putty) go back about five thousand years.  Many Archeologist and Architectural scholars think that stucco had its roots in the ancient regions of Asia or more specifically on the border regions of Mesopotamia or present day Iran and Iraq.   Archeological digs carried out on the island of Malta have shown that in places like Tarxien and Hagar, stucco was used as a binder to hold stone together as well as for decorative uses at sites dating back as far as 3000-2500 B.C.  In those days, Malta was home of some of the largest man made structures on earth and many believe it was because of their use of stucco that helped in the construction of these large buildings.

We also find ancient stucco remnants on the island of Crete from around 3000 B.C.  We know that the Greeks later spread this building material to North Africa where the Egyptians took this product and used it to help construct the tombs of the Pharos and the great pyramids.  It was also used decoratively in Egyptian palaces and temples.  In fact, some of the most decorative forms of stucco were first found in the Palaces of the Pharos, which resembled some of the polished and decorative looks used today.

Stucco was influenced heavily by the natural elements found in the local geographical areas where people lived and built.  Keep in mind that the art of stucco was spiritually influenced by the life of the people who used it.  Although its main use was in the world of construction, it took on an art form that was handed down from father to son, and the art of making stucco was passed from generation to generation.  Each local culture or family from where it was made and used made use of the local taste and materials readily available to them and adapted it to the local archeological style, color and methodology of its local region.

Undoubtedly, over the years, stucco would endure a varying array of material available in each geographic region including pigments of color, but it remained unchanged in its characteristic of application and the paste contents of base lime, with fine powder of stone and marble. It was not until the construction era of Venice Italy (800-1700) that stucco was improved and made in production for the masses.  The architects then were aware of the durability and importance of building in a hostile living environment that was present in Venice because of its high humidity, swampy lagoons and the unpredictable tides of the Adriatic Sea.  Building materials used in the construction of the city of Venice were extremely important since Venice was a city built on hundreds of small islands carved into the sea.   However, it was not until man left the dark ages and entered into the Renaissance that stucco took on a life form of its own.

Venetian Plaster or “Stucco Veneziano” was developed because of Mans need to evolve an already acceptable and durable construction product to meet the needs of a community or city built entirely on water.  Over the centuries, the present day Venetian plaster has revolutionized the product not only for its construction and durability properties, but also because of its design capabilities.  Some of the renaissances greatest artist used stucco to paint some of the world’s most famous frescos. 

Since post World War II, the technology of producing stucco products has changed and modern day technology and the ancient methods came together to bring an old world product into the 21st century.  Today, stucco is produced throughout the world, but the true Venetian Plasters or “Stucco Veneziano” is still only produced in a small region of Northern Italy using the same water and stones used for centuries.  Many have tried to match or copy this product, but like any good cook will tell you, food always taste better when using fresh ingredients from the region the food was developed for.

Today, Venetian Plaster has remarkable design and construction capabilities.  It can offer you the look of the old world or enhance the look of the most contemporary project.  Its modern day elements will give value to any construction project.  With many stucco companies trying to benefit by using the name Venetian Plaster in their products name or sales and marketing, one must make sure they are using Authentic Products.  Many Plaster companies use high levels of acrylic and synthetic resins to make some of the Italian plasters available today.  Although these products have a commercial place, they should not be confused with Traditional Authentic products.  Some of these Faux plasters are made to “Resemble or look like” our authentic products.

Because it is a natural product, these elements will bond over time and harden back to its original stone / texture state.  It actually improves in appearance over time and has what is called a natural healing process that can repair natural cracking or splitting that could occur naturally over the years due to weather or other natural environmental issues.

It is clear to see that over the centuries, many products have been developed and produced to make the construction industry safer, more beautiful and improve the lives of those that live in and use these buildings.  One can honestly say that other than Stone and Wood, natural Plaster and Stucco made from stone are probably natures most original building materials still use today.