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PATEK PHILIPPE

Pietra Dura in Firenze

Commissioned by Patek Philippe Magazine, this story took me to Florence to document the delicate art of pietra dura – the centuries-old craft of inlaying semi-precious stone to create intricate, puzzle-like surfaces.

 

At the heart of the project was Pitti Mosaici, a family-run workshop preserving this meticulous process with patience, precision and care. I photographed everything from vast stone panels glittering with lapis and malachite, to the quiet rhythm of artisans at work – cutting by hand, polishing by feel, aligning pieces so precisely they leave no visible seam: the “zero gap.”

 

What stayed with me most was the wordless connection – gestures, expressions, a shared attentiveness. It was a joy to witness their world and translate some of that devotion into still images.

 

My first collaboration with Patek Philippe Magazine – and a dream to work alongside Photo Director Emmanuelle Peri.

 

Photography Director: Emmanuelle Peri

Art Director: Andrew Campbell

 

A circular artwork with an intricate floral and heraldic design on a black background, framed by a white border, with a green malachite slab in the background.
Person applying varnish to a floral design on a black surface, with a jar of yellow varnish and a mechanical press nearby.
A variety of intricate mosaic designs displayed vertically against a wall, featuring geometric patterns and floral motifs.
A collection of variously colored minerals and stones, including green, red, yellow, blue, and striped patterns, arranged on a green surface.
A hand holds a rough, translucent stone, with papers and a wooden surface visible in the background.
Hands bending a thin wooden branch over a dusty wooden table, with blurred background.
Three shaped stone pieces sit on a surface: a blue abstract shape, a dome with sky colors, and a yellow flower with blue leaves. Behind them is a porous brown sponge and other stone fragments.
A man wearing an apron works in a workshop, bending a thin wooden stick. Shelves with labeled boxes are visible in the background.
A framed image of a bird on a branch, set against a green malachite-patterned background.
A person guides a red piece of material through a bandsaw on a dark workspace.
Person holding a piece of pottery over a table with clay, tiles, and a bowl of water, possibly engaged in a craft or restoration activity.
Decorative wall panel with ornate design features a large blue chain and orange ring against a marbled background, incorporating rich textures and colors.
Hands arranging various colorful stone sculptures on a surface, including green, blue, red, and striped pieces.
Decorative mosaic tiles with intricate geometric and floral patterns in various colors, displayed flat on a surface.
A person wearing glasses carefully paints a red design on a small, dark object at a table.
A decorative blue and red stone inlay in a rectangular pattern with a marble base against a dark background.
Hands assembling a decorative piece featuring seashells and coral on a blue base.
A large seashell resting on deep blue, rough-edged stones inside a dark wooden box.
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