[Steppes] Kimbell "Art and Love in Renaissance Italy

[Mary Schirmer]

Some of the best maiolica was done as special commissions for weddings and childbirth rituals.  The maiolica child birth sets currently at the Kimbell are probably the best Italian maiolica you will get to see in the USA.  These pieces are of the quality commissioned only by the very rich.  They painted domestic scenes associated with childbirth rituals on the inside of small bowls!!!  They are some of the best pieces I have seen, and I have been to the museums in London, Paris, and the Renaissance pottery town of Deruta Italy. 

One of the maiolica pieces in the naughty room is very unique.  It sold in 2003 for 240,000 pounds -- approximately $387,000.

Seeing these items in person is definately better than looking at a photograph in a catalog.
 
Mary Schirmer
aka: Keara Ryan -- Who is NOT going to paint a scene on the inside of a goblet!

http://www.marysmaiolicaarts.com
http://marysmaiolica.etsy.com


Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:50:51 -0500
From: "Karen Calhoun" <kmcalhou at garlandisd.net>
Subject: [Steppes] Kimball Art Museum
To: <steppes at lists.ansteorra.org>
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I went to see "Art and Love in Renaissance Italy" today at the Kimball.  If you get a chance to go before it leaves (June 14!), I highly recommend it.

All of those portaits we've been staring at for years are hanging on the walls in Ft. Worth.  I was staring at one picture of a woman and realized that I made her sleeves.  We are constantly duplicating the hair styles, hats and hosen from these pictures.  No kidding.  We spent over 4 hours there and had to rush the last 2 rooms.  There is plenty to see and pour over.

I stood about 2 feet from a Titian.  I almost cried.

There are several maiolica (majolica) pieces that we've seen around (Keirnan Ryan has duplicated several of these).  They're just sitting there waiting for you to come visit.  Jewelry, Birthing trays, casonni, even a woman's embroidered cap and other textiles.  It was fantastic!

The exhibit is $14 which includes the audio tour unless you're a Kimball member or a DMA member of Friend or above you can get in free.  Again, this one gets my SCA seal of approval.  

**There is a "naughty room"  (They're Italians...  What would you expect?)  I would suggest a parent preview before anyone under the age of 15 go in.  As an adult, I found the pieces humorous, but they are very naughty.  

It's gonna be a hot weekend; go to Ft Worth and enjoy their AC, see some pictures, bowls, and "bella donnas".  You'll be glad you did!

Katya