Although first documented in Roman historian Vitruvius’ treatise on architecture, the use of slaked lime and marble dust as the main ingredients to the final layer of stucco dates back several thousand years. These stuccos were widely used throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. They flourished again during the high renaissance with the architect Andrea Palladio employing their beauty and functionality throughout his elegant villas in the Veneto region. Then their highest point of beauty and functionality came from Venice. The great masters of decoration in this region perfected mixtures of plasters that withstood the environmental abuses of a city built over water. These recipes of Venetian stucco were unique in the history of stuccos.

In more recent history world renowned twentieth century architect Carlo Scarpa revived the technique of using tinted stuccos to bring a variety of color and textures to his many projects. The timeless beauty of these finishes has grown rapidly amongst architects, designers, and homeowners throughout America in the past decade, so much so that discount stores are now providing their own “venetian plaster” to the DIY crowd. These products tend to not have lime or marble in their ingredients and really have little in common with the traditional finishes that we provide. The depth of color and iridescent nature of the true Venetian plasters (stuccos) only comes from the use of limestone, quality marble dust and earth pigments.

Mantovano

The Mantovano finish, from the city of Mantua (later renamed Mantova), dates back to 1100 A.D. Italian architect Alberto Pitentino dammed and shifted the flow of the Mincio river creating four man made lakes around the city to create space and as a defense against local rivals. As the city flourished under the rule of the Gonzaga family, some of Italy’s most famous Renaissance artists were commissioned to complete the beautiful frescoes and finishes within their palaces. Pisanello, Mantegna, Perugino, Correggio, L.B. Alberti, Giulio Romano and Rubens are only a few of the names that graced the walls of Mantova. The lime produced from local limestone rocks from the Mincio river was much more fluid than the putty we are most familiar with. This made a plaster that could not be trowelled but could be applied with a brush and spatula. This application technique led to a finish unique to the city of Mantua.

Eventually the decline of the Gonzaga empire led to the disappearance of the Mantovano finish, until today. Mantova is approximately 30 miles south of Villa Franca (home of Safra plasters). Safra took to local libraries in order to research the history of the architecture of Mantova in hopes that they may find clues to the formula or application of the plaster finish used in the palaces. To their success, piecing together history, accompanied by many hours in the lab, Safra brought the Mantovano finish back to life.
It is nice to know that within the finish of Mantovano, you have a small piece of Italian history, and the finish of one of Italy’s most powerful empires.