Commesso

For the Italian road bicycle racer, see Salvatore Commesso.

Commesso, also referred to as Florentine mosaic, is a method of piecing together cut sections of luminous, narrow gemstones to form works of art. Precise patterns are cut into a slab of (generally black) marble. Gems are then cautiously cut and meticulously inlaid into these patterns. The work is then polished section by section, as it cannot be polished as a whole due to gems having different hardnesses. The practice, which began in Florence, Italy, dates back to at least the 14th century and gained prominence just before the 17th century. Some of its uses include making pictures and decorating furniture and architecture.

Image gallery

Agony in the Garden, circa 1604, Prado Museum Agony in the Garden, circa 1604, Prado Museum The rape of Ganymede, panel from a cabinet with mythological scenes The rape of Ganymede, panel from a cabinet with mythological scenes Commesso in pietre dure Commesso in pietre dure Panel with a Parrot on a Pear Tree Panel with a Parrot on a Pear Tree Altar decorated in commesso Altar decorated in commesso Nightscape Nightscape A commesso table A commesso table Clement VIII Clement VIII

See also

• Mosaic
• Florentine painting
• Opificio delle pietre dure