Delft Earthenware Plate Representing An Animated Landscape

Delft earthenware plaque depicting an animated landscape. A small group of characters representing a couple, a dog and two fishermen at the edge of a bank settle in a background representing in the left part a bridge leading to a tower / lighthouse located on a high rock and in the distance several boats . On the left is a second rock with a very particular shape. Signed lower left E. Collomb Circa 1800 Usual restorations H. 61 x W. 45 cm The work that we present is a very lively earthenware plaque. The earthenware takes its name from the Italian town of Faenza. The representation of "the man" in the decor is therefore manifested in the first place in Italy. It was during the Renaissance that the first historiated scenes called "a istorio" appeared from mythology. In France, earthenware had its golden age in the 17th century thanks to the many wars that Louis XIV waged against foreign countries. This is explained by the consequences of a ban. Indeed, to finance his wars, the king asks that all gold and silver objects and furniture be melted down. Thus, this forces the court of the Sun King to turn to earthenware. With this new craze for earthenware, artists will change the decor of this support, especially in the subjects represented. Indeed, we observe the appearance of religious subjects, as well as the first representations of human figures in nature, in particular of shepherds and shepherds with their flocks. It happens that artists take certain figures from various paintings by masters, and juxtapose them in the same work, which transforms the earthenware into a "small picture". Bibliography: Dumortier Claire and Habets Patrick, Porcelaine de Tournai, gallant scenes and historiated decorations, ed. Root