Bruno & Iacopo Lastrucci

Mosaici Lastrucci

Stone marquetry maker

Mosaic paintings to last an eternity

Iacopo's father Bruno taught him the techniques of commesso fiorentino
Even today, they both work with the same hand tools used in the 1500s
The first object Iacopo made was a small butterfly that is now his lucky charm

"In the workshop we are like friars. It is like being in a seminary: silence, great concentration… Then once we get out of here we are like devils. After a day in the workshop, where we do our work with passion and seriousness, we really need to chill out and have fun," recounts Iacopo. Both himself and his father Bruno are expert mosaicists or rather stone marquetry artists who practise the Florentine commesso technique. It is a craft that has remained unchanged since the 1500s, when it was developed under the Medici family. Today they still use the same tools: the few artisans who have tried to industrialise this technique have closed quickly. Bruno and Iacopo's customers spend a fortune on the works made by the duo. Each piece is the result of demanding and time-consuming craftsmanship which makes the costs of their creations very high. For a particularly elaborate piece, the two craftsmen might spend years in production.

Interview

How did you learn mosaic making?: I was born in my father’s workshop. Mosaic making requires precise qualities: an ability to draw, a pictorial sense for colours, a lot of passion and plenty of patience. These qualities were instilled in me from my early years and later refined in Art School.
How did your father react when you started out in this craft?: My dad was happy when I showed interest in mosaic making. My journey began at another master artisan's workshop who became a grandfather figure to me. After I gained a certain level of skill, I started working under my dad's guidance.
Could you describe your relationship?: Currently, my bond with my father, Bruno, is both of friends and father-son. We are closely connected; he relies on me, and I on him. Sometimes we have disagreements, leading to brief periods of silence. However, we always end up breaking the ice and restoring harmony between us.
How is your craft linked to your home region?: Our craft has deep roots in our region, Florence. This technique originated here, when the Medici family sought timeless decorations from contemporary interior designers. Recognising that paintings and frescoes did not last, they created the term 'eternal painting' for this enduring method.

Bruno & Iacopo Lastrucci are master artisans: they began their career in 1986 and they started teaching in 2003