DOLCI TRIONFI E FINISSIME PIEGATURE. SCULTURE IN ZUCCHERO E TOVAGLIOLI PER LE NOZZE FIORENTINE DI MARIA DE’ MEDICI

This catalogue and its exhibition are the result of various strands of research to deepen our knowledge of the “ephemeral displays” which adorned the tables of royal banquets, such as that held for Maria de’ Medici’s wedding to Henry IV of France. The volume presents the astounding imaginativeness and artistic quality of the sugar sculptures and napkin folding, documented in descriptions written by Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger, and offers a fresh, spectacular vision of the art of ephemeral table decoration. The intent was to translate a historical document into reality, thanks to the casting techniques of the Fonderia Del Giudice and to the art of napkin folding, brought back to life by the master, Joan Sallas, both of whom were committed to a task which they felt was a real challenge, to bestow upon the city of Florence.

Edited by: Giovanna Giusti, Riccardo Spinelli