Plafond (French: Ceiling), in a broad sense, is any (flat, vaulted or dome) ceiling of any premise.
Plafond can be product of monumental and decorative painting and sculpture; subject or ornamental – also is designated by the term "Plafond". Picturesque plafonds can be executed directly on plaster (in technique of fresco, oil, glutinous, synthetic paints, etc.), on a canvas attached to a ceiling (panel), a mosaic, and other methods.
As a part of decorative features of churches and palace staterooms, plafonds were popular from the 17th century until the beginning of the 19th century. Designs of this period typically used the illusion of a break in the ceiling showing the architectural structure behind, strongly forshortened figures and architectural details, and/or the open sky.