The University of Kansas

Andrea della Robbia

Italy, 1400-1482
Madonna and Child
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in honor of Mary M. Davis, 78.33

By the second half of the 15th century, when Andrea della Robbia modeled his Madonna and Child in terra-cotta and glazed it blue and white, it was normal practice for artists to make figures that were believable in their shape, expression, and gesture. Andrea della Robbia’s uncle, Luca della Robbia, popularized the tradition of coloring terra-cotta sculpture blue and white. This relief sculpture also shows other characteristics of Italian Renaissance art: the composition is organized by a geometric form (in this case a tondo or circle) and the figures show restrained emotions. Renaissance artists often balanced their compositions through color distribution, symmetry, or by countering movement with rest.