1. Who is Niccolò Fontana ?
I’m a naturally curious person, raised in the world of art. Both my parents nurtured their passions and careers within this magical realm of creativity and craftsmanship. My grandfather, mother, and uncle have been artisans for over 70 years, masters of the scagliola technique, while my father was a photographer and creative. I now work and experiment as a consultant in interior design, fashion, and marketing — always striving to build connections between artists, artisans, and brands, to revive that dialogue that once lay behind so many private commissions.
2. Your family has safeguarded the art of scagliola for generations. What does this centuries-old technique mean to you personally?
It’s always been a pleasure for me to dedicate myself to preserving the historical archive created by my grandfather, Bianco Bianchi. In a way, I find comfort knowing we’ve reached the third generation — while I focus on developing relationships and projects linked to our private collection and new collaborations, my cousin Leonardo continues to experiment technically alongside my uncle Alessandro and my mother Elisabetta. Together, they give life to new material interpretations born from these creative connections.
3. How would you explain the magic of Scagliola to someone encountering it for the first time?
Scagliola is the art of illusion. The artisan’s hand is so delicate that, at times, the surface can be mistaken for painting; the material, molded with pigments, achieves chameleonic results. It began as an imitation of marble and hard stone, yet through its details and tonal nuances, it often surpasses them in realism and depth.
4. Your grandfather’s collaboration with Gianni Versace is legendary. What do you think made their creative connection so special?
I think that, back then, relationships were born from a deeper cultural curiosity. There was genuine fascination in discovering a craft — in stepping into a workshop to see how an artisan worked. I believe in meaningful coincidences, in unexpected encounters, and in curiosity as a driving force toward what fascinates us. Today, that sense of wonder is often missing — as are the people who can truly captivate you. Let’s say it was a lethal mix of relentless curiosity and irresistible charm.
5. Can you tell us about the process — from raw selenite powder to a finished masterpiece?
Scagliola is an ancient inlay technique, developed between the late 1500s and early 1600s, that imitates marble and semiprecious stone using finely ground gypsum, natural glues, and coloured pigments. The process involves engraving a design on a base of slate or marble, filling the incisions with a semi-liquid mixture called meschia, and finally polishing and burnishing the surface to reveal the image beneath.
