The Waterperry Frescoes

Fresco paintings depicting scenes from the Upanishads and stories from Shri Shantananda Sarasvati cover the walls from ground to second floor. It was a highly ambitious plan to decorate the walls of Waterperry House in Oxfordshire, completed in 2006. This involved re-discovering the exacting art of fresco, painting directly into wet plaster.

This is one of the largest frescoes of its type in the UK. The project has taken 12 years to complete with a team of more than 40 architects and artists, many of whom worked as volunteers.

This edited documentary covers some of the experiences of the artists and architects involved in transforming a large interior area of the beautiful 18th century manor house.

Pigment, gold leaf, eggs and lime plaster are just some of the materials used in this extraordinary project. A number of artists in the School were willing to work on this big project; collaboration was not always straightforward!

The quote which inspired the project is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, 1.4.10. 'This self was indeed Braham in the beginning. It knew only Itself as 'I am Brahman'. Therefore It became all.'

Join a tour to see this art for yourself. Tours of the frescoes are available twice a week, currently on Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 pm, charge £5, approx 45 mins long. Go to https://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk for more information.