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As
I was born in Rome, on 12th December 1957, I have always been
attracted by the city’s monuments, works of art and
archaeological remains, which spring to life in every corner.
When you least expect it, you find yourself being struck by
the magnificence of this enchanted place that has witnessed a
succession of widely differing periods of art and history.
My
mother, a painter and sculptor, passed on to me a passion for
handicrafts and an innate sense of colour. My grandfather left
me a vast collection of stones, which he brought back as a
souvenir of all the time he spent in Africa. I,
too, started to develop a passionate interest in collecting
“stones” which I gather wherever I go. Once cut, they
prove to be true jewels of nature. Consequently, jaspers and
porphyries and the like have no more secrets to reveal to my
tools.
I
am particularly fascinated by the so-called “cosmateschi”
designs which, with their beautiful chromatic qualities,
embellish most of Italy’s great churches, squares and
monuments, from St. Peter’s to St. Mark’s and from the
Sistine Chapel to Florence Cathedral.
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These
adornments were created by the “Cosmati”,
a group of artists devoted to using the “scarpello”
(chisel), from which the word “scarpellino”
(stone-cutter) is derived.
“From the treatise on
ancient stones by Faustino Corsi in 1828, Chapter XII, page
40”:
“ On the place in Rome where stones used to be cut:
In
ancient Rome craftsmen frequently came together in a
particular place and this quarter would be named after their
studios or craftshops.
Local
writers Vittore and Rufo mentioned each quarter, known as a vicus, indicating the craft that was performed there.
The
area that goes from Mount Giordano to the Agonal Circus was
occupied by sculptors and stone-cutters.
“
Stone-cutters
were active from the Roman Empire until the Middle Ages.
Thanks
to extensive research into texts in Italy and abroad, I have
managed to acquire in-depth knowledge of the techniques and
secrets of the craft.
Applying
the procedure used in mosaics, I re-invent ancient pavings,
turning them into bearing surfaces, consoles, mural panels and
floors.
My
works, entirely hand-made, reproduce highly refined designs,
which I achieve by selecting very rare materials, there by
producing a particular chromatic effect and polish.
Every
project I plan makes me extremely proud, as each one gives
life to a precious and unique object.
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