Classici e d’invenzione Il biscuit in Italia tra Rocaille e Neoclassicismo

Biscuit porcelain, the densely textured, sugar white product of first firing, capable of forcefully rendering the plasticity of monumental Greek and Roman sculpture as well as the three-dimensional translation of graceful, gallant and pastoral subjects, derived from prints, in turn inspired by eighteenth century paintings, has always been a source of fascination to me. My long established passion as a collector subsequently focused the desire to study and attempt to classify those objects that with great difficulty I managed to find. The result is this exhibition, which for many years I have greatly desired but postponed for one reason or another. This wait has however provided the opportunity to explore the subject in greater depth, above all thanks to major exhibitions in previous years. Starting from the most recent archaeologically focused research and depending on numerous objects of particular interest, of which a few are unpublished, I have based my selection criteria on quality of execution, concentrating my study on emblematic objects, that as far as possible, guarantee visitors a panoramic overview of Italian production: consequently the Real fabbrica Ferdinandea and the productions of the Volpato firm – giants both in the quantity and quality of their objects – have been given particular relief. It would have been impossible to achieve this result with out the essential contribution of the leading specialists: Angela Carla Perrotti, Andreina d’Agliano, Luca Melegati and Giuliana Santuccio, who with passion and expertise have written all the essays and catalogue entries. I am grateful to the publisher, Bozzi editor, for the elegant presentation of the work, and to all those who, over the years, have accompanied me on this journey.

Catalog of exhibition curated by Giampaolo Lukaks, with contributions by

Angela Caròla-Perrotti, Andreina d’Agliano, Luca Melegati, Giuliana Santuccio

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