L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano T h i n k a b o u t B r u n e l l e s c h i ' s c u p o l a , i n F l o - r e n c e , t h i n k about its color... that rich, beautiful orangey- red, so vibrant and clean, so vivid against the blue skies of a terse winter day. Well, that c o l o r i s a l l d o w n t o Impruneta terracotta. I m p r u n e t a , s e t i n p i c - t u r e s q u e T u s c a n y , m o r e specifically, in the Chianti region of Tuscany, is only about 9 miles south of Flo- rence and is known for its scenic beauty and culture. With its medieval architec- ture, the town itself is a lovely place to spend some time reveling in the tranquillity of the countryside before ven- turing into the much more crowded streets of Florence. T h e h i s t o r y o f Impruneta terracotta But, of course, Impruneta is chiefly known for its terra- cotta. Local pottery tells a centuries-long story of crafts- manship and cultural evolu- tion, with the earliest attesta- t i o n s o f p o t t e r y m a k i n g found in a document from 1098, which mentioned the presence of tile makers in the Impruneta area. By the early 14th century, a local guild was already uniting local arti- sans who specialized in mak- ing jars and pitchers. This guild played an essential role in safeguarding and regulat- ing terracotta production, as shown in the extensive docu- mentation from the munici- pal and parish archives of Impruneta, as well as the State Archive of Florence. These documents reveal how, starting in the 15th century, terracotta production signifi- cantly shaped both the econ- omy and social life of the region, becoming a defining element of its unique culture. In the early 15th centu- ry, Filippo Brunelleschi chose Impruneta's terracotta to build the dome of Flo- rence's Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore: he recog- nized the material's blend of sturdiness and lightness was e s s e n t i a l f o r t h e d o m e ' s unsupported vault. His very high standards demanded perfect bricks from Imprune- ta artisans, possibly leading to the development of spe- c i a l i z e d t e c h n i q u e s a n d mixes that set themselves apart from those used by pot- ters in other areas and for other Florentine structures of the era. In later centuries, especially in the 18th, the flourishing of terracotta pro- duction in Impruneta gave rise to several dynasties of brickmakers including the C a s i n i , F a l c i a n i , V a n t i n i , Soderi, Vanni, Ricceri, and Agresti families. The 18th century also saw the abolition of the clay tax by Leopold II of Tuscany, resulting in a boom in brick production which, along with the urban transformations in Florence during this period, further propelled the prosperity of terracotta work. The advent of the 19th and 20th centuries marked the introduction of industrial processes in terracotta man- ufacturing, which allowed for l a r g e r - s c a l e p r o d u c t i o n , especially for building mate- rials. Today, Impruneta ter- racotta production is divided into industrial and artisanal, with the first focusing on h i g h - q u a l i t y t e r r a c o t t a paving and other products, and the latter producing inte- rior decorations and garden o r n a m e n t s , o r r e s t o r i n g antique pieces using exclu- sively traditional manual methods and minimally rely- ing on mechanical tools. T h e k e y i n g r e d i e n t , Galestro clay The key to Impruneta's high-quality terracotta lies in t h e l o c a l G a l e s t r o clay, known for its excep- tional qualities. This clay is celebrated for its rich mineral content, which confers dura- bility and strength to terra- cotta products. Its remark- a b l e p l a s t i c i t y a n d malleability allow artisans to shape it into various designs, making it perfect for both functional and decorative ceramic works. One of its most distinctive features is its resistance to freezing tem- peratures, attributed to its high granitic content. This characteristic ensures that terracotta products made with it can withstand harsh weather conditions, especial- ly in outdoor settings. Gale- stro clay is versatile, which means it can be used to make a wide array of ceramic prod- ucts, from practical items like roofing tiles and storage ves- sels to ornamental art pieces. And we shouldn't forget that Galestro clay not only con- t r i b u t e s t o t h e p h y s i c a l attributes of finished pottery products, offering them a unique texture and color, but it also holds immense cultur- al and artistic value. I m p r u n e t a p o t t e r y today As we said, the craft of m a k i n g t e r r a c o t t a i n Impruneta evolved through the centuries, but its core time-honored methods of production have been pre- s e r v e d . T h e r a w c l a y i s processed using these tradi- tional techniques and then baked in kilns, just as it used to be done centuries ago. The r e n o w n e d q u a l i t y o f Impruneta terracotta is par- ticularly evident in its garden ornaments and planters, cel- ebrated for durability and e l e g a n c e t h a t s e a m l e s s l y blend into outdoor environ- ments. These pieces, thanks to Galestro clay, are capable of withstanding harsh weath- er conditions, so they are both beautiful and functional at once. When it comes to architec- ture, Impruneta pottery is a preferred choice for roofing tiles - well, if it was good enough for Brunelleschi... - a n d d e c o r a t i v e f a ç a d e s , owing to its durable nature and classic beauty. But it's also a popular choice for inte- rior decoration, where items like vases and bowls can add a t o u c h o f r u s t i c T u s c a n charm to homes and public areas. Local artisans continue to uphold the tradition of crafting bespoke, handcraft- ed pieces, demonstrating a blend of creativity and skill: these custom pieces, whether for functional use or decora- tive purposes, embody the essence of Impruneta's rich terracotta heritage, which is carefully preserved through traditional manufacturing methods while embracing modern touches where nec- essary. A s b r i e f l y m e n t i o n e d above, Impruneta terracotta is also used for restoration p r o j e c t s , p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r those involving the conserva- tion of the architectural her- itage of historic buildings. It's important to note that genuine Impruneta pottery is m a d e i n t h e c o m m u n e o f Impruneta, and while other potteries in the surrounding areas also use Galestro clay, n o t a l l c a n c l a i m t h e "Impruneta" label. The repu- tation of Impruneta terracot- ta, built on generations of superb craftsmanship, has truly made it a sought-after product in the world of gar- den design and home decor, so beware of imitations! Beautiful art made with Impruneta terracotta (Photo: Malgorzata Kistryn/Dreamstime) The Tuscan tradition of Impruneta pottery FRANCESCA BEZZONE IMPRESA ITALIA MADE IN ITALY TOP BRANDS BUSINESS & ECONOMY

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