At the MFA, Renaissance mastery on display

Sebastian Smee | della Robbia Luca | 11th August 2016

The Florentine sculptor Luca della Robbia had one really big idea. He perfected the technique of making glazed terra cotta sculptures that were colourful, durable and cheaper than marble or bronze. Artistic genius, plus his family’s ability to keep secret its production techniques, led to a century of masterpieces from the family firm. A “resplendent show” is the local critic’s assessment.