Ubaldo Vitali and Paul Revere: Silversmiths connecting across time

Learn how the contemporary silversmith, Ubaldo Vitali, works within a tradition that spans thousands of years. View the artist at work, demonstrating processes and sharing insights about the materials and tools that are central to his craft. Ubaldo also shares his long-standing admiration for a fellow artist, the patriot Paul Revere, and the most famous of Revere’s works, the Sons of Liberty bowl. Often called upon to restore historically significant metal works, Ubaldo has restored at least twelve pieces crafted by this 18th century craftsman. Working in and responding to the world today, Ubaldo has deep commitment to the importance of knowing history—history of art, but especially history of any artist whose pieces he is asked to restore.

Students will be able to explain how artworks provide information about the time in which they were made, identify ways in which artists might be influenced by people and events from the past, and provide examples of artworks that follow and break with tradition. After discussing the segment, students will create their own designs using the repoussé method and discuss Paul Revere’s engraving, The Bloody Massacre, 1770, which has been referred to as an important piece of propaganda, to determine what the artist did to promote a point of view.

Grade Level: 7–12 

Craft In America Theme/Episode: EAST

This education guide is supported by an award from The Windgate Foundation.