Grazia Ranocchia

Born in Deruta, upon the completion of her studies at the completion of her studies in Perugua, assumed business responsibilities along with her brother, Ivan, in the family ceramic business, MOD "Maioliche Originali Deruta / Authentic Deruta Majolica"

Her fondness for ceramics has led her to dedicate much of her spare time to the research and study and the history of Deruta Majolica. This book is a detailed analysis of the production of ceramics from the turn of the century up through the 1950s, a period the author considers important to the development of originality and artistic conceptualization

Deruta Today

This work by Grazia Ranocchia, like the precious tile vital for the completion of a mosaic, builds up a coherent and accurate picture of Deruta's ceramic tradition, its origins, history and the state of the art today. Devotedly attached to the art of Earth, Water Air and Fire as I am, and on my mother's side a Son of Deruta, it is for me, a great pleasure and a tremendous thrill to see today as never before, Deruta discovering Deruta.

There have of course been countless artisans in Deruta who have cultivated the ceramic art and even more numerous are the enthusiasts, both in Italy and abroad, who have appreciated it over the years and hold it in increasingly high esteem today; for the force of its artistic quality which exerts the fascination of an exalted, living element matured in the history; development, extension and present state of the art. The author born, bred and still resident in Deruta, broaches this widespread intuition in her work, enters into the most intense aspects of the tradition, and lays open the ceaseless debate between orthodoxy and innovation to show us the real Deruta as never seen before. Her perceptive and careful analysis guides us through this universe, acquainting us with its most intimate aspects and most significant moments against a backdrop of evolving styles and techniques, historical phases and connections with the world of painting and other art forms.

Grazia Ranocchia pays particular attention to the so-called "renaissance" period of Deruta maiolica which dawned at the end of the nineteenth century; and through an examination of its most significant passages, succeeds in painting a complete picture of Deruta, its rarity and the great artistic merit which distinguishes it today. Her account skillfully sheds light not only on the personalities whose commitment and enthusiasm, as well as their artistic skill, have marked them out as "pioneers", but also on the artists, entrepreneurs and companies who, within an updated concept of the craft workshop, have been able to give scope to both tradition and innovation and guarantee the artistic quality which has always distinguished and still continues to distinguish the maiolica of Deruta.

Edgardo Abbozzo