Biography
He was born in Castel Durante as the son of Guido Durantino, who was also known as Guido Fontana.[ Along with his father and his brothers Camillo and Nicola,][ he ran a workshop for several decades.[4] He finally moved with his family to Urbino from the 1530s onwards,[4] where he set up his own workshop in grotesques in 1565.[6][4] Supported by Duke Guidobaldo II of Urbino,[8] Orazio introduced istoriato maiolica in the area, hence contributing to the development of new center of maiolica production and innovation.][ Later on he concentrated on luxury wares of the Spezieria (Medical Dispensary attached to the Palace at Urbino)[8] with surprisingly sculptural, sometimes even fantastic shapes, leaving the plainer, and probably more profitable, white and common wares to his father.][ Together with his workshop he realized great commissions, including table service for Anne de Montmorency.[4] He died in Urbino in 1571.[6]]
The rinfrescatoi basin in the District Museum in Tarnów created between 1565-1571, is one of the best examples of Orazio's workshop artistry combining grotesque sculpture, original form with colourful painted decoration.
References
1. ^1 2 {{cite book |author=Joseph Marryat |title=A History of Pottery and Porcelain: Mediæval and Modern |year=1857 |editor= |page=53 |chapter= |chapterurl= |publisher=J. Murray |isbn= |url=https://books.google.com/?id=QrRCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA53&dq=orazio+fontana#v=onepage&q=orazio%20fontana&f=false}}
2. ^1 2 3 4 {{cite book |author=June Osborne |title=The Story of a Renaissance City |year=2003 |editor= |page=144 |chapter= |chapterurl= |publisher=Frances Lincoln Ltd |isbn=07-11220-86-7 |url=https://books.google.com/?id=VTV4XavCQRMC&pg=PA144&dq=orazio+fontana#v=onepage&q=orazio%20fontana&f=false}}
3. ^1 2 Orazio Fontana in the RKD