Maiolica: Italian Renaissance Ceramics
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

302 pages • 365 full-color illustrations • Hardcover • $32.95

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Introduction

Discover the vibrant world of Italian Renaissance ceramics through one of the most beautiful and comprehensive books ever published on the subject. Maiolica: Italian Renaissance Ceramics celebrates the artistry, culture, and daily life of Renaissance Italy through more than 135 masterpieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s world-class collection.

“After due deliberation and frequent prayer for divine assistance and having sought the counsel of many of our brother bishops, we declare and define blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis to be saints and we enroll them among the saints, decreeing they are to be venerated as such by the whole church,” Pope Leo XIV said.


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Featured Highlights (with selected images you uploaded)

• Dazzling Color & Detail – From bold portraits of Renaissance men and women to mythological scenes alive with movement, maiolica was both decorative and functional.
• Rare Everyday Objects – Pharmacy jars (albarelli), bella donna plates, and lively genre scenes reveal how art and utility blended seamlessly.
• Scholarly Insight – Essays by Timothy Wilson, one of the world’s foremost authorities on maiolica, and Luke Syson, former curator at The Met, provide historical and technical depth.
• Comprehensive Documentation – Each object is newly photographed and accompanied by provenance, exhibition history, notes on glaze and form, and condition reports.

(Page Excerpts from the book - Maiolica: Italian Renaissance Ceramics)

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Jacket Text (adapted for the webpage)

The form of tin-glazed earthenware known as maiolica reveals much about the culture and spirit of Renaissance Italy. Engagingly decorative, often spectacularly colorful, sometimes whimsical or frankly bawdy, these magnificent objects—generally made for use rather than mere ornamentation—offer a fascinating glimpse into daily life. Though less famous than painting or sculpture, maiolica remains one of the most prized expressions of Renaissance creativity, beloved by collectors and art lovers worldwide.

This volume is both a visual feast and an essential resource for scholars, collectors, and anyone captivated by the Renaissance.

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Book Details

• Publisher: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Pages: 302
• Illustrations: 365 in full color
• Additional Features: Map, glossary, bibliography, index

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Price: $32.95
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