CHAP. ).]
BAFFAELLE.
11
The immortal Raffaelle Sanzio d’Urbino, who was bornat Urbino in 1483, and died at Rome in 1520, has givenhis name to this ware. But this general use of the term“ Raffaelle ware ” has, doubtless, arisen from an erroneoussupposition that its splendid designs -were either paintedby him or under his immediate direction ; whereas thefinest specimens are not of an earlier date than 1540.The designs for many of them were, however, furnishedby his scholars from the original drawings of their greatmaster.
It is matter of indifference whether Raffaelle himselfever painted any of these earthen plates with his ownhand, since they could not now be identified ; while thepretty legend of the arts, that love guided his pencil, loseslittle of its value by the uncertainty. At all events, it iscertain that the compositions of Raffaelle are found upona very large number of Majolica vessels.
It was in the sixteenth century that the art of engraving-reached its highest point of excellence in Italy underMarc Antonio. This artist was employed by Raffaelle,lived in his house, and worked under his eye. The printshe executed became the fashion, and therefore were copiedon these plates, affording another reason for the name of“ Raffaelle ware.”
Keysler relates that Baron Tassis, of Venice, possessedan autograph writing of Raffaelle, in which he informs theDuchess of Urbino that the designs are ready which theprincess had desired to be made for some porcelain forher sideboard.*
Although Pesaro , Gubbio , and Urbino , were in the middleof the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth century,