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Sigiriya Frescoes
What do the Sigiriya frescoes depict?
The Sigiriya Frescoes refer to paintings directly administered onto a wall, ceiling, or other enduring surfaces. Artists commonly employ two primary techniques for creating frescoes: Buon Fresco (Italian for ‘true fresh’) and Fresco-secco. In the Buon Fresco technique, pigments are ground in water and applied to a wet, fresh, and thin lime mortar, whereas in the Fresco-secco technique, pigments are mixed with an organic binder before being applied to a dry mortar. Despite the need for swift and error-free execution, the Buon Fresco technique offers greater durability.
Pigments used to paint Sigiriya Frescoes
The pigments employed in the creation of the Sigiriya Frescoes encompass a variety of natural materials sourced from minerals, plants, and other origins. These carefully prepared pigments were utilized to produce vibrant and enduring colors on the surfaces of the Sigiriya rock fortress. The specific pigments likely included various mineral-based hues, such as reds derived from iron oxide, whites from chalk or lime, yellows from ochre, and blacks from charcoal or other carbon-based substances. The selection and combination of these pigments highlight the artistic techniques and materials available during the period when the Sigiriya Frescoes were crafted, showcasing the skill and resourcefulness of the ancient painters.
The captivating frescoes of Sigiriya from a golden era
The kingdoms of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are often regarded as the golden eras of Sri Lanka, as a majority of the country’s heritage is rooted in these historical epochs. Among the remarkable artworks from the Anuradhapura era are the renowned Sigiri Frescoes. Specifically, the famous “Sigiri Apsara” frescoes, depicting maidens, showcase the Buon Fresco technique. Some maidens exhibit a golden skin tone, while others are portrayed in a bluish-yellow (dark) hue. The use of the “Guru” (red) color is evident in flower petals, clothing, headdresses, and certain jewelry. The mesmerizing maiden figures are outlined in black, with intricately decorated, flowery hair also depicted in the same color.
Originally, the walls of Sigiriya were believed to be plastered and painted white, symbolizing purity. However, King Kashyapa aimed for a more spectacular presentation to captivate visitors, deviating from the traditional depiction of the city of gods in the ancient world.
It is widely speculated that King Kashyapa’s harem, which consisted of over 500 concubines known for their sensuous beauty, inspired the creation of the ‘Sigiri Frescoes.’ These depictions of golden-skinned, bare-breasted women adorned with elaborate gem-studded jewelry suggest a royal connection, possibly portraying Kashyapa’s daughters. Some interpretations propose that the paintings represent apsaras or goddesses descending from the heavens to bless the citadel, a theme found in the Ajanta Caves of Maharashtra, India. There’s also a belief that the drawings depict celestial nymphs, serving as protectors of the Rock Fortress. The current state of the paintings reveals only a fraction of what was intended to be one of the oldest and most intricate picture galleries in the ancient world.
How many frescoes are there in Sigiriya?
Within its walls, there are 21 fresco paintings featuring curvaceous women commonly referred to as the Sigiriya damsels. It is believed that the stone walls lining the stairway were adorned with a total of five hundred such paintings. These damsels depict women of diverse ages, including both middle-aged and young individuals.
How old are the Sigiriya Frescoes/ Sigiriya paintings?
The Sigiriya paintings are estimated to be over 1,500 years old. They were created during the reign of King Kashyapa I, who ruled from 477 to 495 CE. The exact dating of the paintings is challenging, but they are generally believed to belong to the 5th century CE. Despite the passage of centuries, these ancient frescoes continue to captivate visitors with their artistic beauty and historical significance.