December 11 - A History of Art - Luca Della Robbia

Today, we leave the gothic medieval art and move into Early Renaissance. Luca della Robbia came from a family of artists. He is chiefly remembered for the glazed terracotta plaquettes that he introduced as a sculptural medium. The family studio kept the terracotta formula a secret, enabling him to establish a flourishing business. Della Robbia also developed a pottery glaze that made his creations more durable in the outdoors and thus suitable for use on the exterior of buildings.

One of his most famous works is the cantoria, or singing gallery, in Florence Cathedral, which shows a cheerful rendition of cherub musicians relfecting antique prototypes. It is paired with cantoria designed by the sculptor Donatello.

Another beautiful piece is the blue-and-white Madonna and Child terracottta reliefs which show that della Robia's major concern was to represent three-dimensional shape on a flat plane.