Galileo Chini
Painter and ceramist Galileo Chini apprenticed with his uncle, Dario Chini, a decorator and restorer, and attended the Scuole Professionali d'Arte di Santa Croce a Firenze. In 1897, he founded a small factory, L'Arte della Ceramica, in Florence with partner Vittoria Giunta. Inspired by early tin-glazed earthenware, the work of oriental potters, and paintings by Gustav Klimt, Chini specialized in stoneware vases with luster decoration in rich colors. Despite the fact that L'Arte della Ceramica was a small factory with limited capacity, Chini made high quality pieces that had a profound effect on the style of Italian ceramics.
L'Arte della Ceramica's work was sold throughout Europe and the United States. Chini participated in the Universal Exhibitions in London, Turin, and the Biennial in Venice.
In 1902, Galileo and his cousin Chino established a firm called Chini and Company at Mugello. He also painted canvases that were hung in Italian museums and designed opera sets for his close friend Giacomo Puccini. Between 1911 and 1913, Chini lived in Bangkok while creating frescos for the palace of the King of Siam. Upon his return to Florence he began to teach at the l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
