Plate with Narcissus, Cupid and Echo Transformed into Stone c. 1530

This is a majolica plate depicting the myth of Narcissus and Echo by Francesco Xanto Avelli, an Italian painter active in Urbino around the 1530s. The plate depicts Narcissus gazing at his reflection, while Cupid watches over the scene, and Echo, transformed into stone, stands nearby. The detailed landscape background and rich colors are characteristic of the Urbino School, where this plate was made. Majolica is a type of tin-glazed earthenware, renowned for its vibrant and intricate designs, often depicting mythological scenes. This plate exemplifies the artistic quality and decorative appeal of the Urbino maiolica tradition during the Renaissance.