ROBBIA, Giovanni della
(b. 1469, Firenze, d. 1529, Firenze)

Lavabo

1498
Glazed terracotta, 414 x 234 cm
Sacresty, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

The marble lavabo of the Sacresty of the Santa Maria Novella is placed in a glazed terracotta arch made by Giovanni della Robbia, son of Andrea della Robbia.

The artist's approach to decoration shows a preference for pictorial effects, as is demonstrated by the delicately shaded landscape at the back of the niche and by the pair of vases with handles painted on the panels at the bottom of the architectural framework.