Magistri ex Italia conducti – 17th century stucco decorations at the Wilanów Palace and the phenomena that shaped them

Abstract

At the Wilanów Palace high-class stucco works from the last quarter of the 17th century have been preserved. Although they are formally diverse (probably made by several workshops), those decorations were considered as a characteristic example of stucco works for Warsaw artistic milieu of the late 17th century. The claim of the homogeneity of the stucco milieu is based on – in some cases confirmed, but in some only presumed – ethnic origin of its members – Italian masters, who came mostly from the vicinity of the great Lombard lakes. Research on the influence of Maestri dei laghi on the art of Central Europe is dominated by the perspective of direct transfers of artistic patterns from Italy, which led to the neglect of the regional context. The main aim of the article is to trace the possible phenomena shaping the stucco decorations in the palace at Wilanów and Warsaw artistic milieu - cultural transfer conected with mobility of people and pattern books. The claim about the Italianate character of artworks is the subject of reflection leading to recognition of the components of an increasingly homogenous image of architectural decorations in Central Europe around 1700.