LUCCA BELLA EOBBIA. 



Pig. 22. 



ALTAR SCREEN BV LCCCA DELLA ROBBIA. 1400 A.D. 



general taste for it increasing, all the principal Italian cities 

 produced it, and all the most renowned artists, including Eaphael 

 himself, supplied designs for it, which potters scarcely less 

 renowned, executed. 



It has heen often stated that Raphael himself worked at this 

 art. Such, however, was not the fact. The Duke of Tuscany, 

 Ouidobaldo II., who extended to this art the most magnificent 

 patronage and encouragement, procured designs from Raphael and 

 his pupils, which he gave to the potters whom he had established 

 at Pesaro to execute ; and it happened that among the most 

 skilful of the decorators of these potteries there were two who 



135 



