Dish with profile of a woman with Petrarchan verse. Culture: Italian, Deruta. Dimensions: Overall (confirmed): 3 1/2 × 15 7/8 in. (8.9 × 40.3 cm). Date: ca. 1510-30.
The Umbrian town of Deruta was an important center of maiolica production and was particularly famous for its display plates--especially those bearing images of lovely women. Here, confident lines describe a graceful feminine profile. Dishes such as this example functioned as a circular picture, with the patterned rim enclosing and enhancing the central image, not unlike a framed panel painting.