Materials and Techniques of Ancient Wall Paintings of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a rich and long tradition of wall paintings, starting from prehistoric times, traversing the historical period up to the present day. The wall paintings in Sri Lanka are found in monasteries, temples, palaces and residences. The historic context of the Sri Lankan paintings has been studied in great detail by several authors, but little was previously known about the materials and techniques of execution of these important works of art. This text is an attempt to collect and present all the known information on this vast subject. It begins with an account of the construction of the paintings and thereafter describes the known techniques of painting as found in the world. In one chapter the materials and techniques of wall paintings in different sites like Sigiriya, Anuradhapur, Polonaruwa, Dambulla and other places are described. The last chapter summarizes the materials and techniques of wall paintings all over Sri Lanka and sums up the situation at the beginning of the 21st century.