The world of craftsmanship

Giovanna Garzoni at Palazzo Pitti

Painter and miniaturist (1660-1670), active in Venice, Naples, Turin, Rome and Florence at the court of Grand Duke Ferdinand II de’ Medici, she composed refined miniatures on parchment with botanical subjects, with common or exotic plants and vegetables, resting on Chinese porcelain cups, many preserved in the Florentine collections of the Galleries. On the occasion […]

The world of craftsmanship

Shoes, “scapini, pianelle and chopine” in the Venetian calli

The Venetian Civic Museums have presented a selection of lesser-known artefacts on the web, preserved in the various collections of the MUVE, which testify to the evolution of taste, fashion and daily customs, offering a focus on objects of the city’s craftsmen. These include shoes from various eras, preserved at the Correr Museum, Palazzo Mocenigo, […]

Calzatura

The world of craftsmanship

The Florentia dress by Antico Setificio Fiorentino

A tribute to Made in Italy, to Made in Florence but above all to the strength of being women starting from the love for craftsmanship and Florence, united in the name of Italian excellence. The “Florentia” dress by Eleonora and Elisabetta represents a field of flowers entirely handmade and takes its name from the ancient […]

Moda

The world of craftsmanship

The Museum of Capodimonte reopens

After the stop due to the Covid 19 health emergency, the Capodimonte Museum reopened on 9 June. The current exhibitions, Naples Naples, of lava, porcelain and music and Santiago Calatrava. In the light of Naples, both have been extended. Admission will be subject to restrictions and it is compulsory to book and purchase the ticket […]

Ceramica

The world of craftsmanship

#ichoosemadeinitaly in major magazines

Launched in April, the #ichoosemadeinitaly project, carried out by the 3 partners of Italia su misura, Associazione OMA – Osservatorio dei Mestieri d’Arte, Fondazione Cologni dei Mestieri d’Arte and Gruppo Editoriale, has already made the rounds of the most important national magazines and the most popular newspapers. Much more than a social campaign, ichoosemadeinitaly invites […]

The world of craftsmanship

Moulding the material

The art of shaping material, any material, and making it into an object for daily use or decoration, using techniques that have been refined over time to become the heritage of many trades, is one of the foundations of Italian culture, its knowledge, roots and wealth. Italy has no end of historical or new-generation workshops […]

Arti decorative

The world of craftsmanship

The art of ceramics

There must be a reason that ceramics have been a part of human history since prehistoric times. Ductile and manageable, it is the raw material used to create numerous useful as well as artistic objects. In its various forms (ceramic, tile, porcelain…), ceramics production has touched many areas of our country. The southern regions learned […]

Ceramica

The world of craftsmanship

Wood and the Italian tradition

Lumber and firewood have long been indispensable for everyday living. Today, despite the various alternatives available, wood continues to be a “precious and noble” material, much loved for its warmth and atmosphere. The methods and technologies used for working with wood have changed rapidly over the last hundred years with the introduction of new machinery. […]

Legno

The world of craftsmanship

Metalworking in Italy

The muffled sound of a blacksmith’s poker, the pungent smell of iron, the heat of the fire… all suggesting one of the most primitive crafts, the art of forging metals, that still lives on in workshops throughout our traditional country. Iron, copper, brass, steel, used to make furnishings, sculptures, furniture, knives, are often perceived as […]

Metalli

The world of craftsmanship

Stone craftsmen in Italy

Depending on the composition, every type of stone requires a different type of craftsmanship. The skill of the craftsman is to understand the nature of the stone in front of him, to see the potential and support it, pulling the object or work out of the stone that contains it. A bit like Michelangelo, one […]

Pietra

The world of craftsmanship

Leather manufacturing in Italy

In Florence, the historic leatherworking district since the 13th century is Santa Croce. Here, thanks to the commitment of the Gori family and the will of the Franciscans, the artisans of the Scuola del Cuoio work in a Renaissance and cosy environment, under the wise aegis of Tommaso Melani and Laura Gori. The bags that […]

Pelle

The world of craftsmanship

Perfumery art in Italian shops

Patrick Süskind wrote in his famous The Perfume: “Men could close their eyes to greatness, to horror, to beauty, and turn their ears to melodies or seductive words. But they could not escape the perfume”. It cannot be denied: the charm of perfume and its evocative power are incomparable. It is said that nothing stimulates […]

Profumi

The world of craftsmanship

All about the Italian goldsmith tradition

Italy boasts one of the oldest goldsmithing traditions, rooted in Etruscan times and reaching its highest expression during the Renaissance, in the splendid courts of the Italian lords. Under the Medici rule, the characteristic goldsmiths’ workshops of Ponte Vecchio were founded in Florence. Today, know-how and tradition combine with contemporary research and design, making the […]

Gioielleria

The world of craftsmanship

The scagliola, an all-Italian handicraft art

The technique developed in the late 1500s in conjunction with the fashion of inlaid stone and commesso in semi-precious stone. There are many examples of this art in the Florence area, especially during the time of the Medici who loved this technique for non-sacred furnishings. From the seventeenth century, the scagliola technique was used throughout […]

Scagliola

The world of craftsmanship

Made in Italy tailoring

It is difficult to define fashion. Coco Chanel said that “fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street. Fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” But one thing is certain: Italy has always been a point of reference for the […]

Sartoria

The world of craftsmanship

Design and furnishings. The Italian tradition

‘Made in Italy’ is very famous in the furniture and decor sector. Its artisans have skill, creativity, customer focus and a special sensibility for the quality of service as well as that of the product. All of this underlies Italian craftsmanship and its unique design. Using the most varied materials, exceptionally skilled artisans create everything […]

Home Decor

The world of craftsmanship

The fine art of weaving in

There are many weaving districts in Italy, specialising in many different types of cloth: velvet, damask, silk, macramé, etc. The weavers are highly qualified and are the modern representatives of ancient traditions. They serve famous designers and world famous artisans, but also customers who want to create elegant spaces with exclusive tapestries, fine rugs, bespoke […]

Tessuti

The world of craftsmanship

Italy and its Lute-makers and theatrical artisans

Italy and music: an intense link that continues in the name of excellence. What of the great tradition of Cremona, known and admired around the world? Cremona is the birthplace of great string instruments. Here, the violins desired by the greatest musicians are created. They are jewels of acoustics and aesthetics, made in the many […]

Musica & Spettacolo

The world of craftsmanship

Art and folklore. An all-Italian magic

There is no place in Italy that does not have its traditions, customs that often differ even within a few kilometres. This huge heritage that still lives on in festivals, celebrations, museums and craft shops. Terracotta figurines, animations, backgrounds and large and small chests are used in cribs and nativity scenes from Naples to Genoa. […]

Tradizione popolare

The world of craftsmanship

The art of mosaics in Italy

Mosaic was first made by early civilizations in history and therefore, is one of the oldest arts. There are many types of mosaic, from Greek to Byzantine, Roman and Florentine. Each has its own specific qualities, and all have a timeless beauty. The technique of commesso, or working in semi-precious stone, goes back to the […]

Mosaico