Terrecotte bolognesi dei secoli XVIII e XIX: Domenico Piò, Giacomo de Maria, Giovanni Putti

Through the analysis of known and unknown terracottas, the article re-examines crucial aspects concerning the sculpture’s workshops active in Bologna between the mid-Eighteenth century and the age of Neoclassicism: the reception of the Baroque models; the serial reproduction of artworks; the openness to the market of devotional terracottas. The paper focuses on a specific master-pupil genealogy, starting with the workshop of Angelo Gabriello Piò (1690-1769) and his son Domenico (1716-1799), then the studio of Giacomo de Maria (1760-1838), ending with the practice of Giovanni Putti (1771-1847). New attributions in favor of the two latter artists are suggested.