The classic Mantovano finish

The Mantovano finish dates back in history to 1100 ad. Italian architect Alberto Pitentino dammed and shifted the flow of the Mincio river creating four man-made lakes around the city of Mantua (later referred to as its current name, Mantova) to gain space and create a stronger defense against local rivals.

As a city, Mantova flourished during the renaissance period, growing to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful cities of its time. For three centuries, the Gonzaga's and Mantova's thrived, building the palaces and architectural masterpieces that still stand today. The Gonzaga family commissioned some of Italy's most famous artists to complete the beautiful frescos and finishes within the palaces they built. Pisanello, Mantegna, Perugino, Corregio, L.B. Alberti, Guilli Romano, and Rubens are only a few of the names that graced the walls of Mantova.

Because of Mantova's extreme wealth, traveling outside of the city was very dangerous. As a result of eminent danger, the citizens of Mantova had to rely on the raw materials within their immediate area when building the structures within their city.

Much like the citizens of Venice, who plucked limestone rocks from the delta of the Brenta river for their plasters (also due to fear of the mainland), the citizens of Mantova used limestone rocks found in the Mincio river and its lakes to create finishing plasters. Remember, plasters were not only decorative; they helped protect and preserve the structures to which they were applied.

The limestone rocks that were pulled from the Mincio river created a more fluid plaster as opposed to the putty type plasters that we are most familiar with. The viscosity of this plaster made application with a trowel impossile. However, with a brush and a spatula, the plaster could be applied to the wall with no problem. This unique application technique allows the beautiful texture that only Mantovano can offer.

As with all good things, the powerful Court of Gonzaga and their city of Mantova, fell under new rule. The decline of the Gonzaga Empire took with it many things, including the disappearance of the Mantovano finish.

Mantova is approximately 50 mile south of Villa Franca. Safra took to local libraries in order to research the history of the architecture of Mantova in hopes that they may find clues to the formula or application of the plaster finish used in the palaces. To their success, piecing together history, accompanied by many hours in the lab, Safra brought the Mantovano finish back to life.

It is nice to know that within the finish of Mantovano, you have a small piece of Italian history, following hand in hand with the rise and fall of one of the most powerful empires in Italian history.