I Mosaici di Lastrucci, Florence

When in Florence, one should not miss the opportunity to explore and purchase Florentine Mosaic Tiles.

The history behind Florentine mosaic is captivating, and the Lastrucci family has played a significant role in its development. While traditional mosaics typically consist of various colored tiles forming a pattern, Florentine mosaic takes on a distinctive characteristic of being a "painting in stone", thus involving the composition of stone pieces shaped primarily by the natural hues of the stones themselves. The artistry lies in finding and utilizing the unique nuances offered by each stone, making artistic mosaic production a challenging endeavor.

Florentine commesso, a specific type of mosaic crafted from pietra dura (hard stone) and semi-precious stones, emerged in Florence during the 16th century. The Medici family, known for their patronage of the arts, greatly supported this new form of art. Florentine commesso combines the elements of traditional Romanesque mosaics, distinguished by the use of micro-tiles, with the intricate and beautiful technique of inlaying stones to create works of art resembling paintings. The mastery of Bruno and his son, Iacopo Lastrucci, elevated mosaic art to new heights, particularly in their ability to achieve realism and perfection in depicting the human form. One of Bruno's most notable masterpieces, the portrait of J.F. Lizzadro, is on display at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art near Chicago.

The Lastrucci workshop, located at Via De' Macci, 9, not only serves as a museum but also houses a private collection featuring priceless, authentic masterworks.

Apart from their renowned "stone paintings", Lastrucci's Florentine commesso is also utilized in jewelry-making, such as crafting pendants or earrings. It is also applied in decorating tables, furniture, and precious jewel cases. These meticulously crafted mosaics, requiring several months of work, are created using original Tuscan stones. The masters' skill lies in seamlessly assembling these stones as though they were all part of a single rock, and then expertly polishing them to create durable masterpieces that can stand the test of time. Prices for small Lastrucci mosaics start at approximately 300 euros for wall tiles depicting contemporary subjects.