Galileo Chini

In 1897, Galileo Chini founded the small factory L’Arte della Ceramica in Florence. Chini specialized in earthewnare vases with luster decoration in rich colors, and his high-quality pieces had a profound effect on the style and reception of Italian ceramics. In 1902, Chini and his cousin established a firm called Chini and Company at Mugello, where he also painted canvases that were acquired by Italian museums and designed opera sets for his close friend Giacomo Puccini.

Between 1911 and 1913, Chini lived in Bangkok and painted frescoes for the palace of the King of Siam. Ever on the vanguard of the Italian Art Nouveau, Chini began to teach at l’Accademia di Bella Arti in 1915 and to paint murals shown at the 1909 Venice Biennale.