Commesso

Commesso, also referred to as Florentine mosaic, is a method of piecing together cut sections of luminous, narrow gemstones to form works of art.[1] Precise patterns are cut into a slab of (generally black) marble. Gems are then cautiously cut and meticulously inlaid into these patterns. The work is then polished section by section, as it cannot be polished as a whole due to gems having different hardnesses.[2] The practice, which began in Florence, Italy, dates back to at least the 14th century and gained prominence just before the 17th century.[1] Some of its uses include making pictures and decorating furniture and architecture.

Image gallery

  • Agony in the Garden, circa 1604, Prado Museum
    Agony in the Garden, circa 1604, Prado Museum
  • The rape of Ganymede, panel from a cabinet with mythological scenes
    The rape of Ganymede, panel from a cabinet with mythological scenes
  • Commesso in pietre dure
    Commesso in pietre dure
  • Panel with a Parrot on a Pear Tree
    Panel with a Parrot on a Pear Tree
  • Altar decorated in commesso
    Altar decorated in commesso
  • Nightscape
    Nightscape
  • A commesso table
    A commesso table
  • Clement VIII
    Clement VIII

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Commesso.

References

  1. ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica (1998). Art – "Commesso". Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. Accessed March 03, 2017.
  2. ^ Tomlinson, Charles, ed. (1862). "Mosaic". Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts: Mechanical and Chemical, Manufactures, Mining and Engineering. Vol. 2, Hammer to Zirconium. London and New York: J. S. Virtue. pp. 304–305; Florentine mosaic.
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