Universal Pedagogue: 27 November 2005

1490-95
Tempera on panel, 123 x 112 cm
Museo del Prado, Madrid

GALLEGO, Fernando

(b. ca. 1440, Salamanca, d. 1507, Salamanca)

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Pietra dura From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Redirected from Pietra Dura) Jump to: navigation, search Pietra dura (Italian for "hard stone") is marble inlaid with designs in precious or semi-precious stonework. [edit]History Inlay work, particularly on marble, where it takes the name of pietra dura, generated a lot of debate as far as its origin is concerned. Many believe it to be typically Italian in origin but some contend it to of Indian origin. The most accepted version, though, is that the form is Italian in origin but the accomplished Indian craftsmen adapted it to their needs, gave it an indigenous touch and used the technique to carve out traditional Indian motifs that are today the crown of Indian art. When the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the creation of the Taj Mahal in the 17th century, he mandated the monument to be created in white marble with semi precious stones inlaid in the marble slabs. This art of inlaying semi-precious stones in marble is also known as Parchin kari The master craftsmen came from Persia (today’s Iran) to decorate the Taj Mahal. During these years most of the master artisans had chosen Agra as their second home, as Agra was the capital of the most powerful imperial courts of the east and a great center for scholars and artisans. For centuries this traditional art has%

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Pictures in stone - Pietra Dura

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St. Petersburg, Micromosaic, c. 1825 - Georgi Wekler

From the Gilbert Collection

Interior of Capucin Convent

St. Petersburg, Micromosaic, c. 1825
Georgi Wekler
(17.5x14.5in., 44.5x36cm)

Formerly in the collection of czar Nicholas I, of Russia, this mosaic is modeled on a painting by Francois Marius Granet (1775-1849). The painting was acquired by Alexander I (1801-1825) of Russia, and hung in the winter palace in St. Petersburg. Wekler, the court mosaicist, was commissioned by the czar to product this micromosaic version in 1825. He was rewarded with a large bonus and a diamond ring.