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Since medieval times, glazed tiles or azulejos (a word of possible Arabian origin - al-zuleycha) have had an uninterrupted presence in Portuguese architecture, building on the techniques of Moorish artisans, and further reflecting ceramic designs from Seville and Valencia. The history of Portuguese glazed tile has been further marked by the influence of the Italian Renaissance, Oriental Chinese exoticism and Dutch influence.
Indeed s a reaction to huge importantion of tiles from NeTherlands, the national factories reorganize themselves calling upon painters with artistic technical skills . And in view of the new Portuguese tiles, the exports were naturally abandoned. In the second quarter of the 18th century there was an enormous increase in the manufacturing of glazed tiles, which was also due to large orders from Brasil.
It was a period of fruitful production, which corresponded to the use of the largest panels ever made in Portugal, portraying history episodes. The increase in production led to the repeating of the scenes, the resort to serial motifs and to the simplification of the scenes, thus turning the frames into the main feature of the panels.
These 3 pieces shows details of different panel of glazed tiles from 17th and 18th century period. With them Terra Lusa pays tribute to all craftsmen and painters of the Portuguese glazed tiles who made Portugal a symbl of universal recognition in this field of arts. |
