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Cesare Roccheggiani
Biography
Cesare Roccheggiani: Roman Micromosaic Master
Cesare Roccheggiani established himself as the leading figure in Roman micromosaic art in the late 19th century. Building upon a distinguished family legacy, with predecessors like Lorenzo Roccheggiani creating Vatican masterpieces in the 1700s and Nicolo Roccheggiani working on Napoleon Bonaparte's "Achilles Shield," Cesare carved his own path. In 1874, he opened his workshop on Rome's prestigious Via Condotti, strategically catering to both tourists and wealthy art collectors.
Roccheggiani's business acumen matched his exceptional artistic skill. His workshop produced a diverse range of Roman micromosaic pieces, from accessible souvenirs to museum-quality fine art mosaics. Under his direction, skilled artisans crafted everything from intricate paperweights to grand micromosaic tabletops, featuring iconic Roman landmarks. His signature works showcased unparalleled technical mastery: precise architectural views, sophisticated decorative borders with malachite, and trompe l'oeil effects, demonstrating his exceptional command of the medium.
The enduring value of Roccheggiani's craftsmanship is evident in the art market. His large micromosaic of St. Peter's Square, signed and dated 1879, sold for $730,538 at Christie's in 2010. His companion piece depicting the Roman Forum fetched $533,192. These works represent the pinnacle of micromosaic art, requiring thousands of meticulously placed glass tesserae to create images of such refinement that they rival paintings.
