French word

fresque

Pronunciation

IPA/fʁɛsk/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmural

Example

La fresque du musée est très connue.

The museum's mural is very famous.

Illustration for fresque (mural)

More examples

Ils ont peint une fresque contemporaine dans le quartier.

They painted a contemporary mural in the neighborhood.

Core concept

A large wall or ceiling painting that belongs to its architectural setting rather than standing apart as a portable picture.

Common phrases

  • une fresque contemporaine

    a contemporary mural

Similar words

peinture: A painting created with paint as a work of art.
tableau: A framed painting commonly displayed indoors.
affiche: A printed paper poster put up to advertise or provide information.

Definition in French

Œuvre peinte directement sur l'enduit d'un mur ou d'un plafond, souvent de format monumental et conçue pour un lieu déterminé.

Word origin

The French noun was borrowed from Italian fresco, 'fresh', referring to the fresh plaster used as the painting surface.

Usage tips

  • French fresque is pronounced with a final /k/ sound, approximately /fʁɛsk/, not like English fresco.

Other meanings

  • fresconoun

Word lists with this word