Italian version
Della Robbia
was the family name of an uncle and his nephew who were Italian
sculptors of the early Renaissance.
Luca Della Robbia (1400?-1482)
He made the famous marble sculpture, the Singing Gallery, fo the
Cathedral of Florence. He is better known for his work in terra cotta, a
type of hard, durable earthenware. Della Robbia covered his terra cottas
with glazes in white and brilliant colors. These terra cottas were less
expensive than marble, and the glazed colors more durable than paint.
Born in Florence, Della Robbia began his career as a goldsmith.
Andrea Della Robbia (1435-1525)
He carried on the process of glazing terra cottas successfully. His
uncle's will left the secret to him. He made a wider use of terra cotta
than his uncle. One of his outstanding works is the infants on the
Hospital of the Innocents in Florence. Della Robbia's work can be seen
in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. He was born in
Florence.
Sculptures
Members of the Florentine Della Robbia family were noted for creating
exquisite terra-cotta sculptures enameled in various colors. "Resurrection"
a high-relief sculpture glazed with blue, gold, and milky-white enamels,
is housed in the National Museum of the Bargello in Florence, Italy.
Della Robbia's works of art
§ "Madonna and Child Jesus" by Luca Della Robbia
§ "singing gallery" 1431 by Luca della Robbia
§ "Cantoria or choir-loft for the Sacristy of the Duomo" 1431-38 St.
Maria del Fiore Cantoria
§ "The bas-reliefs in the lower part" of the Belltower of the Duomo
1437-39
§ "The four large tondos on the ceiling of the Pazzi Chapel, the funeral
monument to Bishop Benozzo Federighi in Santa Trinita 1454-57 and the
magnificent ceiling of the Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal in San
Miniato 1461-66
§ "Ospedale degl'Innocenti Tondos on facade
§ "The Annunciation" by Andrea della Robbia Virgin from c. 1465
Lead-glazed terra-cotta

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