Roberta Giannoccaro

Roberta Giannoccaro is a Florence-based Maestro del Micromosaico, or master micromosaicist. Micromosaico (micromosaics) was a bit of a family tradition in her home as Roberta learned the craft from her father, a Maestro in his own right, who had apprenticed under the famed Maestro Vincenzo Renzo of the Vatican Museum School.

Micromosaico was first developed as an art form in Rome during the second half of the 18th Century as the growth in popularity of the Grand Tour coincided with the birth of Neoclassicism. Micromosaics in the form of panels, snuff boxes, and jewelry depicting Roman ruins and other historical sites became popular souvenirs among wealthy travelers, offering them the possibility to bring home a piece of authentically Roman-inspired art.

Unfortunately, due to the labor intensive and exacting nature of the craft, Micromosaico has neared extinction in recent years.  Roberta is one of about 20 artisans in Italy who keep this art form alive today. Whether it is a restoration project, a new miniature panel inspired by classic motifs, or a piece of jewelry embellished with contemporary designs, the methods that Roberta employs are the same as those used by the artisans that developed this craft three centuries ago.

The process begins with a design and a few sheets of Venetian glass in 8 primary colors. The sheets are broken into small pieces, melted over a flame at over 2000 degrees, and mixed like pigments. The molten glass is then pulled into colored rods measuring only a few millimeters across and cut into minute tiles . Then, composition finally begins and after many hours of precisely positioning each miniature tile with the aid of tweezers and a magnifying glass, a unique masterpiece takes shape.

 More artisanal partners…