As you walk through the grounds of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, make sure to take a peek at one of its oldest architectural features: the Mission Frescos.
These colorful murals once covered the exterior + interior of the church and the convento (priest’s residence) at Mission Concepción and Mission San José. The best part? You can see this artwork for free.
What are frescos?
This architectural element is one of the most permanent ways of decorating. Mineral pigment, wet lime plaster, limestone, water, and possibly goats milk were used to make a paint-like plaster substance. The plaster would dry and harden into limestone as the colors became permanent.
Fresco details
So, why frescos? While exploring the frontier of New Spain, the Franciscans wanted to showcase extravagant beauty for the mission churches. The walls of Mission Concepción and Mission San José are still standing tall 250 years later.
There were multiple purposes for this wall art. These include:
- Highlight architectural features
- Hide construction flaws
- Used as a tool for teaching Catholicism
- Many fresco were simply decorative
As you explore the churches, you’ll notice four colors were used that include yellow, red, black, and blue. Learn more about the ingredients of each pigment.
Legacy of the frescos
If you’re looking for the best examples, look no further than the library at Mission Concepción.
In 1988, a crew of art conservators removed 250 years worth of dirt + non-original plaster. The treatment exposed a second eye, a mustache, and goatee on the ceiling sunburst, leading historians to believe it was a Spanish medallion.
Fun fact: Preservation work in 2010 by the Catholic Church exposed additional artwork in the chapel and the baptistry located at the base of the two belltowers.
