Scagliola developed in the early 17th century as imitation marble for geometrical decorations in architectural works, before taking on more pictorial qualities. It was originally produced in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, which were naturally rich in selenite crystals, from which the plaster used in this technique was obtained. Thanks to the Medici family, scagliola became a successful artistic medium at the beginning of the 18th century, although the fashion died out fast: in the mid 19th century, workshops started to shut down and shops selling scagliola soon disappeared. Bianco Bianchi revived this tradition after World War II, and his children Elisabetta and Alessandro continue to practise this rare carft to the present day, now assisted by Alessandro’s son, Leonardo.
Elisabetta & Alessandro Bianchi