Majolica Plate - Castelli Early Eighteenth Century

This majolica plate was made in Italy, in the Castelli production center, at the beginning of the 18th century. Important center for the creation of majolica from the 16th century, Castelli continues to increase its activity. The majolicas made there are characterized at the beginning of the 18th century by a choice of range of paler colors, the antithesis of the garish colors used in the Renaissance. Our plate is a perfect example of the production of the Castelli region. First of all by its colors, with faded contrasts, in particular with regard to the representation of the sky and the suggested horizon line. On the other hand, the type of scene that is in the center of the composition is very popular in the 18th century. It is a gallant scene presenting a couple of shepherds in a bucolic setting that can be quite similar to the pictorial genre of the pastoral. The whole has a background consisting of an imaginary landscape with ruins, more commonly called capriccio (caprice).