Verona is called “urbs picta” (painted city) due to the richness of its wall paintings, which has captivated travelers from the Renaissance to the present day. The frescoed houses still visible today in the historic center are true narratives that represent a form of visual communication, a storytelling of religious and social values.
The fresco decorations were made of natural pigments mixed with water and painted onto a freshly prepared layer of lime plaster. The artists worked on a daily basis and could translate into images the power of the commissioning families, who, through the facades of their magnificent palaces, displayed their social status and also contributed to the beauty and prestige of the city.
Walking through the streets of Verona and looking upwards is like taking a journey through time and beauty. Despite the wind, rain, and sun, the facades of many buildings still bear the trace of something marvelous: by observing the frescoes, one can admire mythological, religious, and allegorical scenes, all created with a craftsmanship that has endured for centuries. Some of the most well-known examples in Verona include the frescoed houses of Via San Mamaso, Via Mazzini, Corticella San Marco, and, of course, the Mazzanti houses in Piazza delle Erbe.
The art of frescoes was, and continues to be, a way to communicate the power and culture of a city. The wall paintings of Verona not only enrich the urban architecture but also serve as historical documents, witnessing the evolution of artistic style and painting techniques.
But can we also consider frescoes a sort of “early street art”? While frescoes were created using mineral earths, street art is often created with spray paint, stencils, acrylic paint, and other techniques that are much more modern and different from the traditional fresco method.
Certainly, when compared to contemporary street art, it’s clear that there has been a radical shift in both purpose and technique. The global success of Banksy has brought the attention of art historians to this form of artistic expression, which turns cities into living galleries. The goal of these independent artists is to make art accessible to all, but so-called street art is also a powerful means to convey social and political messages.
Although different in execution, the frescoes of Verona and today’s street art share the ability to embellish urban spaces and communicate with the public. While frescoes once symbolized social status and power, today, street art is often a language of protest, an effective medium to spark conversation about social issues, culture and politics, it is a creative way to transform neglected spaces into vibrant cultural hubs.
