Luca della Robbia: The Nativity, c.1460

digital image courtesy of National Gallery of Art, Washington

Luca della Robbia (1400-1482) was an Italian sculptor from Florence. He is noted for his colourful, tin-glazed terracotta statuary, a technique which he invented and passed on to his nephew Andrea della Robbia and great-nephews Giovanni della Robbia and Girolamo della Robbia. Though a leading sculptor in stone, he worked primarily in terracotta after developing his technique in the early 1440s.
The vibrant, polychrome glazes made his creations both more durable and expressive. His work is noted for its charm rather than the drama of the work of some of his contemporaries.

Working with assistants, including members of his own family, della Robbia produced a number of decorative reliefs and altarpieces until the end of his life. One of the arguably finest examples is the enameled terra-cotta ceiling (1466) of the Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal in San Miniato, Florence. His studio was outstandingly one of the most successful of the Italian Renaissance, spanning three generations and well over a century. 

the above text appears on the back of the card
HC-593: card size 6" x 6" (150mm x 150mm)