Name: Luca della Robbia
Work: Sculptor
Born: 1399/00
Died: 1482
Hometown: Florence, Italy
Period: Early Renaissance

What I have learnt about his work:
Luca della Robbia initially worked in marble, before developing an enameled terra cotta with a pottery glaze that made his sculptures more durable outdoors, which he became renowned for (this was baked clay covered with a lead/tin based glaze – this reflected light and gave beautiful colour to his work).  His sculptures have a sense of simplicity, and were typically religious and designed for decorative purposes.  They contain delicate yet realistic figures who have a certain charm and innocence.

Cantoria (Singing Gallery), Luca della Robbia – marble
1431–1438
Opera Dell’Duomo Museum (originally Cathedral of Florence)

What I have learnt about this piece:
Based on the 150th Psalm of David, the whole scene is jovial and lively, with a sense of movement and grace, appropriate for its location on a singing gallery in Florence Cathedral.  Luca della Robbia filled each panel with groups musicians and dancing children, with delicate, realistic facial expressions and animated body language.  He clearly studied the human form in detail and understood how it looks as it moves.  A number of the figures protrude out of their backgrounds, further increasing the sense of dynamic, overflowing movement.

Examples of terra cotta glaze: