Workshop of Luca della Robbia

Italian (Florentine), mid-15th century

BiographyLuca della Robbia (1399/1400–1482) was an Italian sculptor from Florence, noted for his glazed terracotta roundels, in a technique he apparently developed himself. Though a leading sculptor in stone, after developing his technique in the early 1440s, he mainly produced terracotta thereafter, and passed the technique on to his nephew Andrea della Robbia and great-nephew Giovanni della Robbia. His large workshop produced both cheaper works cast from moulds in multiple versions, and more expensive one-off individually modelled pieces.

Robbia was born in Florence, the son of a member of the Arte de Lana or wool-workers guild. His first documented commission, the Cantoria ("Singing Gallery"; 1431–1438) for the Cathedral of Florence proves that he must have been an accomplished artist long before joining the Sculptors Guild in 1432. In the next two decades della Robbia executed important commissions in marble and bronze. His earliest surviving freestanding sculpture is the white tin-glazed terracotta Visitation in the church of San Giovanni Fuoricivitas of Pistoia, dating to 1445. Although the date of della Robbia's first work in colored glazed terra-cotta is not known, his control of this medium was clearly enough recognized to justify two major commissions for the duomo of Florence.

Working with assistants, including members of his own family, della Robbia produced a number of decorative reliefs and altarpieces until the end of his life. His works were very popular, and many were sent outside Florence; the larger ones could be disassembled to facilitate transport. In 1471 Luca della Robbia was elected president of the Florentine Guild of Sculptors, but he refused on account of his age and infirmity.

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