Stuccowork Masters

Stucco decorator Master

As seen before, stucco decorator Master were craftsmen artists, specialized in artistic stucco decoration work. Also in this case nomenclature doesn't give any help but leaves many possible interpretations open.

We go back once again to past definitions. Vitruvio and Plinio called stucco decorator "albarius tector" or more easy only one of the two words (albarius or tector) because at that time this character was working both as stucco decorator and as a plasterer.

In book V chapter X Vitruvio specifies: "deinde opere albario sive tectorio poliatur" so distinguishing 'albario' from 'tectorio' and clearly stating that the first one deals with stucco, the other with any other plaster.

Historian Andrea Agnello from Ravenna, who lived during first middle IX century A.C. in Liber Pontificalis ecclesiae ravennatins calls stucco decorators with the name of Cement Worker Masters (recte magistri cementarii). Masters because really good in working stone powder and lime, Cement Workers because they make building works using marble chips and powder. (Already Vitruvio in book XII chapter 6 defined it "caemento marmorea")

More recently stucco decorator Master was called "decoration specialist" or "restorating specialist" but we think that past definitions fit better, to the need to re-define in a modern way "modelers" and "applicators" who today represent the continuation of Venetian stucco work applied to modern living standards.