Plate (piatto): The story of Aeneas

Art Historical Context

Behold this exquisite maiolica plate, *The Story of Aeneas*, crafted in 1532 by Francesco Xanto Avelli da Rovigo. Measuring 11 5/8 inches in diameter, this tin-glazed earthenware piece from the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art captures a pivotal narrative from Virgil's *Aeneid*. Aeneas, the Trojan hero destined to found Rome, is depicted amid his epic journey, embodying the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and heroic tales that linked ancient myths to Italy's cultural heritage. Maiolica, a hallmark of 16th-century Italian ceramics, revolutionized pottery through its tin-glaze technique, creating a smooth, white surface ideal for vibrant, detailed paintings akin to canvas works. Avelli, a master of this medium from Rovigo, specialized in *istoriato* wares—plates adorned with intricate historical or mythological scenes. This plate exemplifies the era's technical prowess, where artisans fired the glaze to opacity before applying overglaze enamels for jewel-like colors that have endured centuries. As a functional yet artistic object, it reflects the opulence of Renaissance dining culture, where such dishes graced noble tables while educating viewers on Virgil's timeless epic. A true gem of the Robert Lehman Collection, it invites us to ponder Aeneas's trials and triumphs, bridging ancient literature with Renaissance ingenuity.