Wine Cistern 1553

This Wine Cistern was made in Italy by Francesco Durantino in the 16th century from glazed earthenware. The earthenware base gives the cistern a solid, substantial feel. Its robust form is softened by the detailed painting covering the interior and exterior. The piece would have been built up from coils of clay, then fired. Once hardened, it became a canvas for Durantino’s detailed narrative scenes. The riotous imagery is achieved through layers of colored glazes, each requiring meticulous application and firing to achieve its final luminosity. This process reflects a skilled workshop tradition, where specialized artisans would contribute to different stages of production. While Durantino may have been responsible for the overall design and painting, others likely prepared the clay and mixed the glazes. The cistern demonstrates the economic and social dynamics of Renaissance workshops, where craft skills met the demands of wealthy patrons seeking both functional and decorative objects.