I DELLA ROBBIA A SAN GIOVANNI VALDARNO Stories

The Della Robbia family, first documented around the thirteenth century, was originally from Florence and initially linked to the art of dyeing. It became famous thanks to the invention of glazed polychrome terracotta, developed by Luca Della Robbia (1399/1400 - 1482). This technique was perfected by other members of the family, such as Andrea (1435-1528), who expanded the range of colors, which until then included only white, blue, yellow and green, also improving the speed and efficiency of production. Later, Giovanni (1469-1529) had to adapt the works to the changed tastes of the public, creating works characterized by structures rich in ornaments such as garlands, angels and cherubim, and a strong polychromy.

The robbiane technique involved the creation of terracotta reliefs on which a polychrome and shiny ceramic coating was laid. After the first firing in the oven, the product received a second firing to permanently fix the colors and vitrify the enamel, thus making the work very resistant to weather and atmospheric agents. This characteristic made it one of the most appreciated artistic supports since the Renaissance. In addition, thanks to their distinctive luster, the robbiane could be placed even in dimly lit environments. Over time, the use of casts has made even more accessible the production costs of these earthenware, which are already quite cheap.

The coat of arms of Palazzo d'Arnolfo

On the facade of the Palazzo d'Arnolfo di San Giovanni Valdarno you can admire the coats of arms of the vicars and podestà who have occupied the palace over the centuries. Although more than 800 officers have passed, about 250 are now visible. These coats of arms, made between 1409 and 1769, can be painted or carved on the columns and the architrave, or applied directly on the facade. Among those applied stand out the colorful coats of arms in glazed terracotta, including seventeen made by the Della Robbia family and four commissioned to Benedetto Buglioni (1459/1461 - 1521), a student of Andrea Della Robbia. After opening his workshop, Buglioni obtained important commissions in several Italian cities.
According to a popular legend, on the back of the coat of arms of Bernardo di Giovanni Iacopi you will find the secret of the alchemical formula used by the Della Robbia family to make glazed terracotta.

The lunette of Santa Maria delle Grazie

The lunette above Porta San Lorenzo in the basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, built between 1510 and 1513 by Giovanni della Robbia on commission from Giannozzo Salviati, is an important example of Renaissance art. It depicts the Virgin Mary with angels, with in the center Saint Thomas receiving the waist, symbol of faith (now lost, probably due to the bombing of 1944). The scene is distinguished by its innovative perspective and traditional iconography, with Saint Thomas kneeling in an unusual but fascinating way. On the sides, are represented the patron saints of the city: San Giovanni Battista and San Lorenzo, arranged symmetrically. The composition combines pictorial and sculptural elements, creating a three-dimensional effect, enriched by a detailed landscape background and an ornamental frame rich in decorations, making this bezel a true Renaissance masterpiece.

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