Decorative painting or "faux finishing" has been used for millennia, from prehistoric cave painting to Ancient Egypt. But what we generally think of as faux finishing in decorative arts began with plaster and stucco finishes in Mesopotamia over 5000 years ago.
Decorative painting became hugely popular in Classical times in the forms of faux marble, faux wood, and trompe l'oeil murals. Artists would apprentice for ten years or more with a master painter before working on their own. Great recognition was rewarded to artist who could actually trick viewers into believing their work was the real thing.
The art was first used extensively, however, from the renaissance onwards adorning the palaces of Europe.
Decorative painting continued to be popular throughout the ages, but experienced a major resurgence in the 19th century. By that time decorative artists were in high demand, as the middle and upper classes began to lavishly decorate their homes. Some of the decorative finishes these artisans executed are glazes and patinas, parchment, stenciling, marbleizing, faux bois (wood finishes), fresco murals, and trompe l’oeil.
The interest in decorative painting continued well into the early 20th century, with the art deco style of the 20’s and 30’s being the most notable, where stenciling, gilding (gold leaf), and faux bois were utilized with frequency.
During several decades of the 20th century decorative painting & faux finishing was mainly used in commercial and public spaces. In the late 1980s and early 1990s however this age old painting tradition saw another major revival.
Several traditional decorative painting methods are simple enough for a home owner to create something with a little instruction. But a professional decorative painter can achieve really stunning results.
