Plate c. 18th century

This 18th-century Italian maiolica plate, a type of tin-glazed earthenware, features a central depiction of a female figure holding a miniature building and a book. The figure is surrounded by a landscape with trees and flowers, and the plate is decorated with a complex pattern of stylized leaves and scales in blue and gold. Maiolica, a popular ceramic technique in Renaissance Italy, was prized for its vibrant colors and intricate designs, often incorporating biblical and mythological themes. The plate, now in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases the enduring beauty and craftsmanship of this historical ceramic tradition.