The Hindu Temple v1.c7.s2.8

v1.c7.s2.8

The wall paintings, according to the ‘Viṣṇudharmottara’, 1. c., are executed on plaster. The plaster there, in the main, consists of bricks, variously powdered, mixed with clay and carefully prepared with gum resin, bees wax, liquorice, ‘muḍga’ bean and other vegetable substances. Sand, etc., has to be added in due proportion; the mixture is allowed to consolidate for one month, and is then applied to the wall and left to dry. If this dry plaster is not perfectly smooth, it is coated with clay plaster mixed with resin and oil which is carefully smoothed and polished. On this dry, smooth wall the paintings are produced acc. to Ch. XL, Pt. III, of the ‘Viṣṇudharmottara’.