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Home  /  Featured Blog Post  /  Renaissance art form resurrected in Urbania, Italy

Renaissance art form resurrected in Urbania, Italy

On a tour provided by Palazzo Donati, I set out to visit a small ceramic showroom and workshop in Urbania, an Italian town of just over 7,000 inhabitants in the Le Marche region. A center for handmade ceramics since the 15th century, today there are workshops where you can see artists at work and buy high quality handmade ceramic pieces.

Ceramic Art The Ancient Casteldurante (Ceramica d’Arte L’Antica Casteldurante) is known as one of the best places to learn about this rich artisan history and purchase the art.

Renaissance ceramic art is being resurrected.

Entering the shop I am amazed at the beauty surrounding me; plates, bowls, vases, frames, canisters and a large intricately detailed tile painting. Giuliano Smacchi explains many of the pieces are designed after local 15th and 16th century ceramics.

Giuliano Smacchi explains the history of ceramics in Italy.

Smacchi and Gilberto Galavotti received their art diplomas in1987 at the Urbino Art institute. Smacchi later received a second diploma at the Fine Arts Academy in scenography. The men also started to learn the technique of majolica (Renaissance earthenware coated with a tin oxide glaze and highly decorated).

At first they produced pieces as scholars, but in 1995 they opened their own shop. The men researched shapes, old decorations and glazes, and revived the art and ceramic history of the area. Each man individually creates smaller pieces and together they work on major projects. The classic period of Casteldurante and Urbino is their hallmark.

Giuliano Smacchi (left) and Gilberto Galavotti pose in front of one of their masterpieces.

After Smacchi explains the history of the art and the business, he invites me to see Galavotti at work.

Gilberto Galavotti paints intricate designs on a vase.

In a cramped workspace, Galavotti expertly decorates a 

Creating another masterpiece.

vase. I am mesmerized watching his expert touch as he applies blue paint along the neck of the vessel.

Centuries-old Urbania ceramic pieces are displayed in museums all over the world. Fortunate for today’s collector, Galavotti and Smacchi are making new treasures by using traditional methods; creating new designs as well as resurrecting the area’s historic patterns.

I stay a long time watching Galavotti work before making a purchase and heading back to Palzzo Donati in nearby Mercatello sul Metauro for more Renaissance adventure!

 

Tags: art, ceramics, Italy, Urbania
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marilynjones

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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8 Comments

  1. Josie Reply
    June 16, 2017 at 4:15 am

    Hi Marilyn,

    I so appreciate modern artists keeping the old world crafts alive. It shows us not only beauty, but patience and diligence.

    Regards,
    Josie

    • Marilyn Jones Reply
      June 16, 2017 at 7:54 am

      I agree; their desire to keep the art alive and their talent are amazing!!

  2. Jerrold Mckaskle Reply
    June 20, 2017 at 12:11 am

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    • marilynjones Reply
      June 24, 2017 at 8:08 pm

      Thank you!! I will be posting more about Italy soon!

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    • marilynjones Reply
      September 24, 2017 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you Brendon!!

  4. cours de theatre Reply
    September 25, 2017 at 1:38 pm

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    • marilynjones Reply
      September 26, 2017 at 6:58 am

      You are so welcome. I hope you will continue to check out my website!!

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About Me

Marilyn Jones, a journalist and photographer for more than 30 years, specializes in travel. Her articles and photographs have appeared in major newspapers including Dallas Morning News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Time and Columbus Dispatch. As well as major magazines including Elks Magazine, Alabama Living, Military Officer, Escapees, Texas Farm and Home, Illinois Country Living, Carolina Country and Renaissance Magazine.

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