Enamel and terracotta in Florence - The works of the Della Robbia family in the National Museum of the Renaissance

French language

Colourful and luminous, the sculptures of the Della Robbia family (1435-1525) are identifiable at first glance. Reliefs, altarpieces, round bosses, architectural decorations, coats of arms, figures intended for devotion: the collection of the Musée d'Ecouen presents a vast panorama of these works which arouse "the astonishment and incredible satisfaction of everyone" (G. Vasari).
But how can we explain the exceptional longevity of Della Robbia's art?
This book demonstrates the specificity and originality of this Florentine family of artists who, using an enamelled terracotta technique, founded a workshop with prodigious success during the Renaissance. The book is based on a very precise analysis of the development of the Parisian antique market, and also describes in detail the links between the evolution of taste and the formation of art collections. This catalogue raisonné devoted to the collection of Ecouen's Robbiesques constitutes a reference volume for the knowledge of Della Robbia and their reception.

Some robbiesques will be presented in the exhibition "A dream of Italy. La collection du marquis Campana", Louvre (Hall Napoléon), 18 October 2018-28 January 2019.