Plaque en majolique - Castelli début du XVIIIe siècle

This majolica plaque was made in Italy, in the production centre of Castelli, at the
beginning of the 18th century. Castelli, an important centre for the creation of
majolica since the 16th century, has continued to expand its activity. The majolica
manufactured there was characterized at the beginning of the 18th century by a
choice of a range of lighter colours, at the opposite of the blatant colours used in
the Renaissance.
Our plaque is a perfect example of the production of the Castelli region. First of all, by its colours, with their blurred contrasts, particularly with regard to the representation of the sky and the suggested horizon line. On the other hand, the type of scene at the centre of the composition was highly appreciated in the 18th century. It is a gallant scene depicting a couple of shepherds in a bucolic setting that may well resemble the pictorial genre of pastoral work. The whole has a background of an imaginary landscape with ruins, more commonly known as capriccio (caprice)