Looking at art history. Here we have a fragment of a sculpture: God the Father, c. 1510, from the workshop of Andrea della Robbia (1435-1525). Terracotta, partly enameled, with some of the color still visible, but most worn off. I see fragments of sculptures as so evocative of the uncertainty of life. "Change and decay in all around I see," says the old hymn. "Oh, Thou who changes not, abide with me."
Luca della Robbia (1399/1400--1482) born in Renaissance Florence became a true innovator in the medium of glazed terracotta. He took the humble material of clay (terracotta means "cooked earth") and created beautiful, luminous works using colorful, reflective glazes. He started a very successful family enterprise. His nephew Andrea, who created this piece, inherited the workshop in 1482. Five of Andrea's children joined in the business. Della Robbia sculptures can be found all over Florence and other cities, with many works in museums all over the world.
The Victoria & Albert Museum owns this work, but it is not on view. Fragments so rarely are, when a museum owns complete works. It's a pity tho.
Today you can find "Della Robbia" knock-off pottery on Etsy and eBay. The name lives on.
Luca della Robbia (1399/1400--1482) born in Renaissance Florence became a true innovator in the medium of glazed terracotta. He took the humble material of clay (terracotta means "cooked earth") and created beautiful, luminous works using colorful, reflective glazes. He started a very successful family enterprise. His nephew Andrea, who created this piece, inherited the workshop in 1482. Five of Andrea's children joined in the business. Della Robbia sculptures can be found all over Florence and other cities, with many works in museums all over the world.
The Victoria & Albert Museum owns this work, but it is not on view. Fragments so rarely are, when a museum owns complete works. It's a pity tho.
Today you can find "Della Robbia" knock-off pottery on Etsy and eBay. The name lives on.
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