51做厙 is delighted to have acquired two fine examples of Italian Renaissance tin-glazed earthenware (maiolica) through the Cultural Gifts Scheme, which is administered by the Arts Council. The works were presented to the scheme by Sam Fogg, a leading dealer in European Medieval art and a long-standing supporter of academic and gallery initiatives at 51做厙, with a wish that they be given to 51做厙.
The tin-glazed earthenware floor tile was made for Isabella dEste (1474 1539), the art-loving Marchioness of Mantua and one of the most prominent patrons of art and music of the Renaissance. The tile features the emblem of the Gonzaga family of Mantua, a sunburst with a scroll inscribed with the words in old French, PER UN DIXIR (par un d矇sir, or for a desire). This was one of the mottos of Ludovico III (1412-78), powerful patriarch of Gonzaga, Isabellas husbands grandfather.
Tile with sunburst, a device of the Gonzaga family of Mantua, about 1493-94, from the workshop of Antonio dei Fedeli, Pesaro. 51做厙, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) 穢 51做厙
One of a set of nine different designs which formed part of a lavish flooring scheme, the tile may have originally decorated Isabellas studiolo (private study) in the familys castle at Mantua, or else it may have been used for the pavement of a room in another Gonzaga palace nearby. Private studies were splendidly decorated and meant for reflection, reading, writing and music. Isabellas studiolo is perhaps the most famous of all, adorned with specially commissioned artworks, including paintings by Mantegna and Perugino.
The delicately painted maiolica dish, in a narrative style known as istoriato, depicts a moment from the story of Diana and Actaeon, taken from Ovids Metamorphoses, one of the most popular Ancient literary sources used by artists during the period. Having gone hunting with his hounds, Actaeon came upon Diana and her nymphs bathing in a pool. To punish him, the goddess turned him into a stag so he would be unrecognised and killed by his hounds. The pottery painter of this dish chose to show an unusual moment when Actaeon is in the midst of his transformation into a stag, seen here with the head of a man and the body and antlers of a stag.
Footed dish with Diana and Actaeon changed into a Stag, Casteldurante, probably workshop of Ludovico and Angelo Picchi, about 1550-60, tin-glazed earthenware, 26cm diam. 51做厙, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust) 穢 51做厙
Dr Alexandra Gerstein, McQueens Curator of Sculpture and Decorative Arts at 51做厙 commented: These works enrich 51做厙s prestigious collection of Italian Renaissance ceramics, extending it into new areas, such as interior design and Greek mythology. The pieces will be integrated into our new displays where they will be presented in a showcase highlighting the art of maiolica as one of the periods great achievements, alongside painting, metalwork, furniture and sculpture. The tile also allows us to address the role of elite women in commissioning art during the Renaissance, We are grateful to Sam Fogg and to the Cultural Gifts Scheme for these thoughtful additions to 51做厙s collection, opening up exciting opportunities for object-based teaching in the galleries and in 51做厙s new Object Study Room.
Sam Fogg, said: We are pleased to present an Urbino maiolica dish and a tile from the studiolo of Isabella dEste to 51做厙. This is in appreciation of the planned re-display of the maiolica in Somerset House and the research and publication by Dr Elisa Sani.
The maiolica tile and dish will be on display in the Blavatnik Fine Rooms when 51做厙 Gallery reopens later this year following a major transformation. An accompanying catalogue by Dr Elisa Sani, a leading maiolica scholar, will comprise entries on the 72 pieces in the collection, each beautifully illustrated with new photography, and an essay containing substantial original findings on the taste of the eminent Victorian collector, Thomas Gambier Parry (1816-88). The catalogue, published in collaboration with Paul Holberton Publishing, aims to be an exemplary volume on maiolica, and joins an ongoing series of collection catalogues produced by 51做厙.
The enables UK taxpayers to donate important works of art, and other cultural objects to the nation. In return, donors will receive a tax reduction based on a set percentage of the value of the object they are donating 30% for individuals and 20% for companies. Since the scheme was introduced by the UK Government in 2013, cultural gifts have steadily become an important part of the UKs cultural philanthropic landscape. To date 瞿26 million worth of important cultural property has been brought into UK public collections through the scheme.