July 17 – October 3, 2010
Gualdo Tadino – Italy
This important exhibition features 120 ceramic works, majolica and lusterware (tin glazed pottery), made by the Rubboli factory and by other important pottery factories, such as Ginori, Miliani, William de Morgan, Cantagalli, Galileo Chini, La Salamandra and Alan Caiger Smith, thus offering an excellent overview on the history and the tradition of lustres both in Italy and in the UK from 1870 to the last decades.

The works are displayed in the Monumental Church of San Francesco in Gualdo Tadino, home town of Paolo Rubboli, after a previous successful run in Perugia.
Additional pottery made by Paolo Rubboli (1838-1890) is on display at the Museo Civico Rocca Flea.

Speaking at the grand opening on July 17, the legendary ceramicist Alan Caiger-Smith also presented the book “The Rubboli Collection” written by Marinella Caputo with the foreword by Timothy Wilson, Keeper of the Department of Western Arts of the Ashmolean Museum of Oxford with curatorial responsibilities of Decorative Arts.

Marinella Caputo describes Paolo Rubboli as an authentic pioneer. He had in his mind an ambitious project and he made it happen, investing all his money and his talent in the production of quality lusterware.
Without Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli, Paolo’s descendant, and Marinella Caputo’s stubborn researches, the history of Italian pottery would have missed an extremely important chapter and two fundamental characters: Paolo Rubboli and his wife Daria Vecchi Rubboli, an artist herself.

The Rubbolis were successful because they believed in the power of art, working with artists such as Ajò and Discepoli. This lesson – declared  Maurizio Tittarelli Rubboli – needs to be kept in mind by those who wish to revive the tradition of pottery making in Gualdo Tadino, just like he does. The project is very important to him. He has already founded the Rubboli Cultural Association, that is behind the exhibition and its catalogue/book. Additionally he is working to   raise the funds for a Rubboli Museum in Gualdo Tadino, which will hold some of the works displayed in the current exhibition.

View the video of the exhibition held in Perugia (in Italian)

Chiesa Monumentale di San Francesco
Corso Italia – Gualdo Tadino
Open  Fri, Sat, Sun 10.30 am to 1 pm – 3 pm to 6 pm
Open on appointment during the week
Phone: 0039 075 9142445
Email: info@roccaflea.com