Maioliche 2012, painting 'Assino'. Ottorino De Lucchi, drybrush and acrylic on Schoeller cardboard, 2012
In this short visual story we are going to embark on a journey of the creation of our Maioliche
The Maiolica is a sophisticated medieval pottery technique exclusive to the Italy and some part of the mediterrean. It particularly noteworthy for its glassy finish that resembles porcelain thanks to a two phase cooking procedure and a special tin based coating.
Every Produzione Privata story begins in the same way. It all starts in Michele De Lucchi’s mystical sketchbook. Here you will find the illustrated steps that brought life to our Maioliche from a lump of clay to a finished unique masterpiece.
1. These are the very first drawings by Michele de Lucchi in his sketchbook. This particular drawing represents the study of the potential shapes of the Maioliche. In the middle of the drawing De Lucchi wrote 'Pinnacoli' which are Pinnacles as a reference to the shapes he was inspired from. — at architetto Michele De Lucchi.
2. In this sketch you can spot the earliest prototypes of decoration patterns: i. 'Fontanelle' meaning fountains; ii. 'Alberi' are trees; iii. 'Foglie' meaning leafs.
3. De Lucchi finalizes his very first Maiolica collection (out of 7 which will be released shortly and will be the last). Each Maiolica was pencil drawn and framed. The designs were then submitted to our Artisan.
4. Our master turner proceeds to give shape to the very first maiolica on the lathe in his workshop
5. The artisanship required for the levels of details demanded is astounding as you can see here
6. Here the cover is being evened and smoothened with a special lathing blade. This is a very delicate step as a single wrong cut would mean starting from the beginning
7. The final touches are 'shaped' and now the majolicas are handed to the artisan in charge of the cooking in the furnace
If you liked this lathing part you have to watch the video of our artisan in action! On Video of the Maioliche Lathing
The Maioliche Collection being lathed from Michele De Lucchi on Vimeo.
8. Here you can see the difference in color from the maiolica before and after the cooking process. Maiolica, translated Majolica, is the name given to this type of tin-glazed earthenware. It is a traditional historic pottery technique unique to medieval italy & the mediterrean. For further reading please see: The history and technique of the Maiolica
9. The ingredients for the base and the colours have to be carefully planned and mixed
10. These are the tubes containing colours, bases and mixers for the right looks and consistency
11. This is an example of the base mixture that will be applied to the cooled maiolica. This allows the patterns to be drawn and then later enameled
12. Here you can see the base being applied by means of careful brushstrokes
13. The patterns provided by De Lucchi and adapted by our graphics team are studied and prepared for hand drawing
14. In order to draw more reliably, a carbon footprint is imprinted on the vase, to have an outline to follow by hand
15. This is the very first brushstroke. A long road is ahead for our Artists till they are done!
16. The drawing by the Artists is completed and the maiolica is ready to be cooked again to achieve that glazed look and immortalize the drawn masterpiece
17. Michele De Lucchi is so excited by the results that he calls his longtime friend and master photographer Tom Vack to capture these very special artworks. This is an unedited, uncropped set-up photo by Tom Vack Photography
18. These are pictures, although they almost resemble 3D drawings. This effect is partly achieved by the glazing of the maiolica and mostly by the superb mastership and style of Tom Vack. (This is an unedited, uncropped set-up photo by Tom Vack Photography)
19. I find it unbelievable myself but these pictures are not photoshopped at all... straight out of the camera! (This is an unedited, uncropped set-up photo by Tom Vack Photography)
20. I took the liberty to align all the final (edited) pictures by Tom Vack to complete and present to you the first limited edition Maiolica collection (number 1) by Michele De Lucchi
Visita la collezione di Maioliche e tutti gli altri nostri prodotti sul sito ProduzionePrivata.it
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