Castelli Ceramics: 16th-17th centuries from the State Hermitage Museum Collection
5 February 2008 - 11 May 2008
Blue Bedroom

The Castelli maiolica from the State Hermitage Museum fund is displayed “in return” for the Italian collections exhibition that came off at the State Hermitage Museum in late 2005 - early 2006. The Hermitage Castelli maiolica collection spans all the major stages in the development of the pottery trade centre that used to be highly prosperous and productive during the 16th-18th centuries. There will be 77 pieces put on the exhibition including ones created by such prominent Castelli masters as Pompeo de Bernamonte, Orazio Pompei, Francesco and Carl Antonio Grue, Nicola Cappelletti, Carmine Gentile. The exhibition features samples of all the aesthetically interesting and artistically noteworthy painting techniques practiced by Castelli craftsmen in the 16th-18th centuries. Castelli, being but a small settlement in the Abruzzi Mountains, for more than three hundred years remained a major centre of maiolica trade that ranks well among the best applied art works of the period as far as stylistic originality and artistic excellence are concerned. Totally devoid of features typical of most of provincial ornamental art, Castelli maiolica promptly reacted to changes of the currently dominant artistic trends such as Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo and Classicism, absorbing and originally interpreting their stylistic peculiarities. The exhibition visitors are sure to take an interest in the bright and highly imaginative Orsini-Colonna ceramic painting, the superb blue-and-gold turcino maiolica of the 16th century, basically Baroque works by Francesco and Carl Antonio Grue and Rococo pieces by Carmine Gentile. The Castelli maiolica art evolved in the course of history, with every consequent epoch giving rise to a qualitatively novel style of painting, but never failed to preserve its couleur locale.

The exhibition was to be seen in Rome (May 31 - July 8, 2007), Castelli (July 14 - September 9. 2007) and Teramo (after September 13, 2007). After its successful Italian tour it is coming to be admired by visitors of the State Hermitage Museum.