Della Robbia Madonna & Child, Library Front Entrance
Written by Parida Saennam
The Della Robbia studio, established in Florence in the mid-15th century, is famous for its colorfully glazed terracotta sculptures with Christian religious symbolism.
The studio produced many images of the Madonna and Child in white enamel on their signature blue background ceramic. The white enamel identifies purity, virginity, innocence, and birth, whereas the blue signifies hope and good health. The blue color called “ Della Robbia blue,” is unique, tends to have hues of red and is slightly deeper than the standard light blue color. The sculptures are often complimented by fruit and animals including birds, lilies, cherries, apples and grapes. These serve gracefully as symbols of Christianity.
We can compare Della Robbia originals to their later reproductions, for example, The Madonna of the Apple ca. 1455-60 (Bergello National Museum, Florence). The reproduction Madonna and Child plaque at Dominican University has a similar theme. However, instead of holding an apple, the infant Jesus makes a blessing gesture with his right hand and embraces a white dove in the left one. There is also an angel displayed beneath Mary and Jesus, who holds a scroll and is surrounded by pleasant flowers. Both Mary and Jesus look serene and peaceful with the halos on their heads. The figures have naturalistic postures and a classic look. The Dominican plaque is also coated in a pearl white glaze and in the signature Della Robbia blue background, similar to his original work in Madonna of the Apple.
Della Robbia’s work was widely collected in the late 19th and early 20th century by Americans travelling to Italy. The imitation of his work became a form of popular decorative art. The significance of the color “ Della Robbia blue” is still influential today in art and fashion trends.
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Citation:
"Madonna and Child, known as Madonna of apple, by Luca della Robbia (1399 or 1400-ca 1482), glazed terracotta bas-relief in white and blue, Florence, Italy, ca 1450." In Bridgeman Images: DeAgostini Library, edited by Bridgeman Images. Bridgeman, 2014. https://dominican.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/bridgemandeag/madonna_and_child_known_as_madonna_of_apple_by_luca_della_robbia_1399_or_1400_ca_1482_glazed_terracotta_bas_relief_in_white_and_blue_florence_italy_ca_1450/0?institutionId=834