RIDING THE HORSE - DIRECTION: DERUTA

The votive offering was painted by Perugino for the community
of Deruta (1477-1478). The plague was over in the town.
Saints Rocco and Romano were considered anti-pestiferous.
(Deruta Painting Gallery, originally in the Church of Saint
Francis in Deruta) 

The castle of Deruta in a ceramic plaque of the 1940s  (photo by Roberta Niccacci)

If you are in the  Piegaro - Città della Pieve - Fontignano area you might think of yourself as belonging to the flourishing Renaissance history of Deruta; by accompanying Maestro Pietro Vannucci known as "Perugino" (1448-1523) from Città della Pieve to Deruta in one of his trips to the town of ceramics.
This great artist of Italian art history was born in Città della Pieve and died in Fontignano, where he is buried. Perugino was one of the most important local and famous artists who inspired the ceramic art of Deruta, together with Bernardino di Betto known as "Pinturicchio" (1452-1513).
Between 1477-1478 the community of Deruta commissioned Perugino a votive offering (that we call "ex-voto" using the Latin expression) as a thank you for the end of the town's plague. This is one of the reasons why Perugino came to Deruta often, painting his fresco for the town of Deruta.

Also during the Renaissance period, Deruta was a famous place for VIPs such as the Borgia and Sforza families, artists, merchants, and bankers.

Detail of a fresco by Perugino from the "Nobile Collegio
del Cambio" in Perugia (money exchange office)
Deruta ceramic artists took their inspiration
from this hat's floral swirls as an example. 

At that time according to available literature, there were about ten ceramic workshops, churches, a hospital for pilgrims, and a few banks with a population of about one thousand Derutese.

Reproduction of a ceramic pitcher
from the origins of the history
of ceramic in Deruta. 

In the same years Perugino worked in Deruta (1477-1478), elegant ladies used to come to Deruta and visit the castle which was a property of the Municipality of Perugia. Indeed in the late 15th century and in the 16th century, Deruta became famous for creating decorative floor tiles for Churches and Chapels. Examples are the "Cappella Bella" (beautiful chapel) in Spello, namely for the Baglioni Family, nobles of Perugia, and the benedictine Church of Saint Peter in Perugia.

Detail of a Deruta handpainted wall plate from a fresco by
Pinturicchio. The writing is in Latin: "Ab Amicis Iusta
et Honesta Petamus" (tr. Don't ask your friends too much)
by famous Latin writer Cicero.

Deruta ceramic history probably started in the late 13th century. The first document witnessing a delivery of pitchers to a convent in Assisi goes back to 1282, which is a very recent discovery. The tradition definitely started in Deruta thanks to the availability of clay on the banks of the river Tiber, which runs in the town outskirts as well as the availability of woods on the hills over Deruta, necessary for furnaces. The art of ceramics itself probably came from the influence of Etruscan and  Roman cultures. Rome in particular was specialized in accessories for the table and its ceramicists worked at that time along the river Tiber's banks.

Handpainted Reproduction of the famous work of
art by Leonardo da Vinci "Lady with an Ermine"
(By Romano Ranieri)

In the origins, colors in use were only a few: green and manganese on white glaze. In town, there are a few studios that still do faithful reproductions of this style considered as sort of rustic compared to the Renaissance style productions.

Indeed with the passing of time, the ceramic tradition evolved to more elaborate designs which are distinguishing Deruta. Namely creating historical drawings such as the"Raffaellesco" and "Ricco Deruta" patterns; with a wide palette of colors from blue to yellow, orange, rust, green and red. Inspired by Renaissance talented artists they started reproducing scenes, profiles, and decorations into ceramic pieces, imitating the noble art of frescoes.

A second Renaissance period of Deruta ceramics dates back to the 1920s, thanks to the passionate research of the savants of the town of Deruta. The tradition came back to life towards the end of the 19th century after a long period of absence as a consequence of the Industrial Revolutions.

The original painting by Leonardo da Vinci,
"Lady with an Ermine" (about A.D. 1490) 

Latin was the language in use in both Renaissance periods and also in use nowadays for important writings on decorative plates, show plates, and decorative home accessories.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria is the Patron Saint of Deruta ceramicists and is celebrated every year on November 25th. Her symbol is the wheel, known as Catherine's wheel:  Deruta is famous for round shapes and terracotta's most production is made on the kick wheel. This is what Deruta is famous for and why this Saint is so meaningful to ceramic artists.

Rue on top of the

tower.  this is where

the name Deruta

comes from.

Detail of the crest 

of Deruta 

Deruta ceramics go under the name of "majolica" or simply "maiolica". "J" in Italian is an old-fashioned way of writing "i", no longer in use... More information and curiosities are in this blog. Follow www.friendsofcama.blogspot.it, like my Facebook page to receive blog updates!


p.s. Piegaro is about 40 km away from Deruta by car, an estimate 50 minutes drive.

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- Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

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