Plate with The Vision of Alcyone and arms of Jacopo Pisaro 1535

This plate, depicting “The Vision of Alcyone and arms of Jacopo Pisaro," was made in the 16th century by Fra Xanto Avelli da Rovigo using maiolica, a type of earthenware ceramic covered with a glossy, opaque glaze. The technique involves coating the fired clay with a white tin-based glaze, which then becomes a canvas for intricate painting. The artist uses metallic oxides to create vibrant colors that fuse with the glaze during a second firing, resulting in a durable, lustrous surface. Here, the artist, also known as a painter, engages with skilled traditions from both the fine and decorative arts, creating a narrative scene filled with classical and mythological themes, and a patron's coat of arms. The high level of skill required for this type of work shows the relationship between labor, artistic skill, and elite patronage. The plate straddles the line between functional object and art, illustrating how the value of such objects is tied to the expertise involved and the social context of its creation.