The Odorico mosaic to discover in Rennes

Rennes can be considered as the capital of the mosaic in the Grand-Ouest. The works of the Odorico family who settled there in 1882 have decorated the entrances, facades and floors of its buildings. This gave him the benefit of an original heritage, a true artistic heritage that tourists and holidaymakers can still admire today during guided tours.

The Odorico family, Italian mosaicists living in Rennes in 1882

Originally from the province of Frioul, the Odorico family is part of the wave of Italian mosaicists who came to settle in Tours. But later, she decided to migrate west and reach Rennes. In fact, Italian mosaicists were aware at that time that they should seize the opportunity to develop throughout France. This is why the Patrizio family settled in Marseille when other artist-entrepreneurs decide to go to Nevers, Limoges or Paris. These mosaicists tried to divide this new market into geographical sectors in order to avoid competition and in order to make known their small tiles of light with a particular style. For their part, the Odorico family initially struggled to work in Rennes. But it still managed to shine in the Great West with the creation of branches in Nantes, Dinard and Angers.

The know-how and the Odorico style

The Odorico style is recognizable at first glance. As Philippe Bohuon specifies: "Odorico knew how to incorporate into fairly sober cement patterns small glass pastes which bring out the colors by playing on the light". It is this little touch of originality that is considered the Odorico signature and that contributes to its reputation in Brittany. After his training at the Beaux arts in Rennes, Isidore Odorico, the second generation of the Odorico family also knew how to accentuate the artistic touch during the Art Deco period. According to Gilles Brohan: "This artistic vein allows him to reward sets, to create, when the first generation was more in the execution and production of old elements". Thus, the classic works designed with marble or stone from the first Rennes mosaicists gave way to more refined works made from cement and porcelain stoneware. In addition, Odorico's know-how can therefore be summed up in its ability to synthesize artisanal and artistic techniques and to keep a style of its own.