DELLA ROBBIA, circle of
(Florence, late 15th – early 16th century)
glazed terracotta
This refined work in glazed terracotta represents a typical devotional roundel of the Tuscan Renaissance tradition, attributable to the renowned Della Robbia workshop for its high technical quality and its distinctive use of colour and iconography. At the centre of the composition stands the figure of the Madonna, encircled by a delicate crown that represents her celestial sovereignty, as she holds the Christ Child with a natural and protective embrace. The Child turns his gaze upwards with a lively and engaged expression, lending the scene a note of delicate verisimilitude.
The background is dominated by the characteristic deep blue, reminiscent of lapis lazuli, against which four small winged cherub heads emerge, the angelic presences that enhance the sense of sacredness and divine protection permeating the entire composition. The central group is enclosed within a rich garland, a distinctive feature of Giovanni della Robbia’s production, composed of fruits modelled with great skill: bright yellow lemons, clusters of grapes with strong Eucharistic symbolism alluding to the blood of Christ, and pine cones, symbols of fertility and eternal life.
The polychromy, vibrant yet harmonious, is based on the contrast between the lush green of the foliage and the warm tones of the flesh, which emerge softly from the ceramic surface. The glazing technique, characteristic of the Della Robbia workshop, gives the work a glass-like brilliance and remarkable resistance to the elements. Thanks to this particular process, the piece still preserves its chromatic freshness and intense spiritual value, revealing a perfect balance between the sculptural solidity of form and the decorative richness of painting, qualities that made such objects especially prized both for private devotion and for the embellishment of noble architecture.
