Maiolica: Italian Renaissance Ceramics in the Ashmolean Museum (Ashmolean Handbooks)

Timothy Wilson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1854441779 ISBN 13: 9781854441775

Publisher: Ashmolean Museum, 2003

This book is an introduction to Italian Renaissance ceramics. These colourful and highly decorative wares form a distinctive and significant part of the artistic achievement of the period. The Fortnum collection in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, is outstanding in its quality and range. In this selection the author illustrates fine and characteristic pieces by leading artists in the major centres of production, including Florence, Siena and Urbino. The techniques and processes of Renaissance Maiolica are briefly discussed and the subject matter of each painted piece is related to the wider artistic culture of the time. 'Maiolica' serves as a scholarly presentation of the finest pieces from a major collection, while at the same time providing a valuable general introduction to this most vivid and culturally illuminating of the 'minor arts' of Renaissance Italy. It is an expanded and updated edition of the book first published in 1989, incorporating most recent additions to the Museum's collections.

Synopsis:

Intended as a general introduction to Italian Renaissance ceramics -- each piece illustrated is chosen from amongst the finest and characteristic of the major centres of production including Florence, Siena and Urbino. The techniques and processes of Renaissance Maiolica are briefly discussed and the subject matter of each painted piece is related to the wider artistic culture of the time.

About the Author:

Timothy Wilson is Keeper of Western Art in the Ashmolean Museum and one of the world's foremost authorities on maiolica.