Plaster: A History that SETS the Tone!

Plaster is a versatile and durable material that has been used for thousands of years in construction, art, and decoration. Its history is long and varied, dating back to ancient times when it was used by civilizations around the world to create everything from wall frescoes to ornate sculptures, plaster is an integral part of the history of architecture.

The earliest evidence of plaster use can be found in the ruins of ancient Egyptian tombs, where walls were decorated with elaborate plaster reliefs and frescoes. The Egyptians also used plaster to create life-size statues and other sculptural forms. Plaster was also popular in ancient Greece and Rome, where it was used to create intricate architectural details, including columns, cornices, and friezes.

In the Middle East, plaster was used to cover the walls and floors of their homes and often decorated with colored patterns.  By using plaster as a protective cover for the stones and branches early humans were able to build more permanent structures.

Plaster as an art form advanced with the creation of Fresco paintings, which were made by painting directly onto wet plaster. By applying the wet paint to the wet plaster material, when they dried, the paint fused with the plaster wall it was applied to. This technique was first used by the Minoans as early as 2000 BCE, and was used in Egypt, Rome, and India. Plaster was not used much during the Medieval period, if it was it was mainly in the construction of churches and buildings and was seen as a more industrial application rather than artistic.

It came back into popularity in Europe during the Renaissance with artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci using plaster to create masterpieces such as the David and the Last Supper. Plaster was also used extensively in the construction of grand palaces and public buildings, such as Versailles in France and St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Plaster isn’t just used in art and architecture—it’s also used in the medical field to make casts, and also in the process of making prosthetics. Plaster is also sometimes used in 3D printing through a process called Selective Laser Sintering.

With such a long and rich history dating back thousands of years, Plaster’s versatility and durability have made it a popular building material throughout the ages, and its continued use today is a testament to its enduring appeal. From ancient tombs and medieval cathedrals to modern-day buildings and 3D printed prototypes, plaster has played a vital role in shaping the built environment of our world.