As I strolled along the ancient basalt cobbled streets of Sorrento, I couldn’t help but feel in awe of the exquisite beauty that surrounded me. Historic buildings, ancient ruins, prolific agricultural spaces, a profusion of aromatic flowers, sweeping sea views, met my eye with every turn. Among the hustle and beauty of Sorrento life, I came across an exquisite work of art that would forever earn my admiration, the art of intarsia. The following is a brief look into the art of intarsia as seen in Sorrento, Italy.
Intarsia or marquetry is the art of wood inlay and is heralded as Sorrento’s greatest craft. Intarsia has been practiced in Italy since the fifteenth century. In Sorrento, wood inlay was used for lemon and orange shipping advertisements and packaging that peaked international interest. Intarsia was inspired by many aspects of life in Sorrento such as women’s handy work, local dress, dance, and many art forms including Pompeian frescos and mosaics, embroidery, prints, paintings, engravings, and in modern times, photography. The depiction of local life brought attention to the various occupations practiced in Sorrento enhancing the overall economy of the region.
Artisans of intarsia use a wide variety of woods to create exquisite designs such as olive, walnut, myrtle, rose wood, orange, poplar, maple, chestnut, elm, mahogany, holly, and ebony. While some pieces utilize the natural colors of the wood, others employ various dyes to produce the desired color and effect. Though some artisans use solid wood, most today use veneers to create their many exquisite designs. Stained veneers were introduced to Sorrento in the 1800s by craftsmen from Nice, France. The art of inlay can also be done using other thin materials such as semiprecious and other stones, ivory, bone, mother of pearl, tin, brass, copper, scagliola, straw, tortoise shell, etc.; however, these materials are not normally utilized by the artisans of Sorrento.
Tools used to create wooden inlay consist of basic instruments of carpentry such as fine steel wooden bow saws which were replaced by electric jigsaws in the 1950s. Other basic carpentry tools such as wooden mallets, planers, sanders, and gouges were employed. Historic tools of interest include the use of fish glue and the capretta or kid goat, a wooden work bench used for the fretting of wood veneer bundles.
The first step to any inlay project is to select the type of piece you wish to create whether it be a box, table, or cathedral door. Next select the design you wish to create and the inlay materials that would best suit the project. In Sorrento, this is primarily done in wood. Once you have decided on a design and sketched out a prototype, the cutting process can begin. Artisans with a working set of designs create patterns that make the use of a jigsaw and other cutting tools simpler and the outcome more uniform. Once the pieces have been cut, artisans will lay out a temporary design to ensure that all of the pieces work together as they should before permanently adhering them to the base surface. Once the position of the pieces has been established, trace around each piece to ensure that it returns to its desired location. Next, carefully cut out the inside of each traced area creating a flat uniform recessed surface in which to lay each piece of the design. Once the recess has been carved out and sanded, ensure that the wooden design pieces fit properly and securely. Next, glue the wooden design to the base filling any gaps in with a mixture of glue and sawdust to disguise the hole. Once the design has been attached and smoothed to lie perfectly within the base, clear away any excess glue and dust. A shellac or varnish can be applied to the design surface to give extra security and sheen.
To commemorate Pope John Paul II’s visit to Sorrento, a set of inlaid wooden doors and choir stalls were created and installed in the Sorrento Cathedral depicting the many aspects of Sorrento that the Pope mentioned while touring the region. The Royal Palace of Naples ordered wooden inlay furniture from Sorrento to be the primary décor of the palace. In 1866, the Catholic Association founded a school in which they could train apprentices in the art of inlay; however, most artisans have learned their craft via familial instruction. In this way, the art form is passed from generation to generation.
Intarsia in Sorrento is a multi-generational craft still practiced today. A stroll along Corso Italia or one of the many basalt streets that run alongside it will produce a feast for the senses. Gargiulo Salvatore is an award-winning craftsman of intarsia in Sorrento who runs a shop at Via Fuoro, 33 with his son. The Salvatore family have been creating intricate works of intarsia for three generations. The Tramontano family have been producing intarsia since 1897. Augusto and Luca’s Workshop is located at Via Fuoro, 50/c. Jasmine of La Botteguccia di Scala Maria & C. on Corsa Italia continues her father, Antonio’s proud legacy. During WWII, Antonio, at 20 years of age, began practicing the art of inlay. In 1961 the shop was opened and continues to produce lovely masterpieces today. Giuseppe Rocco, one of the artisans who worked on the Sorrento Cathedral doors, was featured in an article by Reid’s Italy and has a studio at Via San Nicola 30. Alessandro Fiorentino is the curator of the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea and an artisan of modern intarsia in Sorrento.
The streets of Sorrento pour forth with the life of many nations desiring to bask in the paradise that is Southern Italy. Historic texts speak of the poverty of Southern Italy, including Sorrento, and the revival of the economy through the auspices of the wealthy vacationer. When faced with poverty and lack of professional opportunities in their field of choice or the tourism profession, many have made the tourism choice. It is this tourist trade that feeds the modern-day artisans of intarsia. Visitors cannot help but be drawn in by the exquisite beauty of this historic art form. To learn more about intarsia simply visit one of the many intarsia artisans of Sorrento or visit the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea, a museum entirely for the admiration of wood inlay and its history.
References
Bramblett, R. (2008-2017). Intarsia (inlaid wood mosaics).
C., J. o. (2017, June). (J. Musgrave, Interviewer)
Fiorentino, A. (2017, June). curator of the Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea . (J. Musgrave, Interviewer)
Lignea, M. B. (n.d.). Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea. Sorrento, Italy: Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea.
Moe, N. (2002). The View from Vesuvius: Italian Culture and the Southern Question. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Salvatore, G. (2017, June). (J. Musgrave, Interviewer)
Tramontano, A. a. (2017, June). (J. Musgrave, Interviewer)
