Historical References
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| This sculptural format of three-dimensional art has it's roots in 15th century Italy in the style of Luca Della Robia and his nephew, Andrea. His works fall somewhere between painting and sculpture. His portraiture showed a strong understanding of drawing and depicted a sense of depth in a shallow plane. His contemporaries considered him one of the most important innovators of the century.
17th century French Palissy ware depicted biblical and pastoral scenes; and the French Sevres and German Miessen ceramic manufacturies specialized in landscapes and classical portraiture. |
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Most recent influences come from a collection of contemporary American ceramic masters: Jack Earl, with his surrealistic three-dimensional paintings of the late 70's and 80's; Viola Frey, with her huge, colorful storytelling platters of the 80's and 90's and most recently, Suzanne Stephenson with her three dimensional abstractly expressionistic thrown wall forms.
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The special effects world in cinema has developed virtual landscapes and worlds by the use of software like SoftImage and Alias Wavefront that have fully three-dimensional feels to them on the screen
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In the olden days, when one had the dubious distinction of being selected to create such regal and flattering portraiture for estate and station, they were not only expected to rise to the occasion; but a dim view was taken upon those who failed at the task. Such work was expected to emerge from the kiln without a flaw. After all, it was "royal art." It had to be "perfect." No cracks, no zidges, no drips. Artists who could not accomplish this sometimes found themselves without thumbs, their families sold into slavery, and them in exile from the land where they were born. Or worse.
We do not address perfection (fortunately) quite in the same manner today. In the execution of more than 400 of these works over the past 17 years, perhaps three dozen have emerged from the fire that would have met with "papal guidelines" for "flawless craftsmanship". Then again, probably none of them have...
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These sculptural bowls are amongst the most difficult handmade objects created in the art world today. In the United States, less than a handful of artists pursue this format because of the potentially tremendous rate of failure. Yet its history had always portrayed the glory of God and the State. Del Robbia's accomplishments have not been improved upon to this day.
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The most drastic sense of pressure upon a commissioned artist might be noted: in ancient China, the Imperial Diamond Cutter would conduct his work in the presence of the Emperor himself...standing next to the Emperor during the crucial cleaving of significant stones was the Royal Executioner with a very large, heavy sword...
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