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Article: Masters of majolica: a remarkably beautiful exhibition in Arezzo sets the achievements of the Della Robbias in their artistic context.(EXHIBITIONS)
- Article from:
- Apollo
- Article date:
- May 1, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Apollo Magazine Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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According to Giorgio Vasari, money was one of the main motives that prompted Luca della Robbia in the mid 15th century to develop the glazed terracotta technique that brought him and his family wide renown. A talented sculptor of marble, who carved one of the famous pair of singing galleries for Florence cathedral (now in the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo), Luca supposedly realised that majolica sculpture offered a better profit margin, as the materials cost little and moulds could be reused.
One of the many interesting essays in the catalogue accompanying this excellent exhibition perspicaciously observes that, most likely, it was ...