Kannen van steengoed, plaat VII 1827 - 1829

Charles Onghena created this lithograph titled "Kannen van steengoed, plaat VII." The detailed lithograph presents an array of stoneware jugs, each meticulously rendered with careful attention to form and texture. The composition uses the arrangement of the jugs to draw the viewer's eye across the page, creating a dynamic visual rhythm. Notice how Onghena uses hatching and fine lines to define the contours and ornamentation of each vessel, giving them a tactile presence despite the flatness of the print medium. These objects, rendered with scientific precision, invite us to consider the cultural codes embedded in their design and decoration. The varying shapes and heraldic emblems point to a complex interplay of status, identity, and historical narrative. Onghena's approach is not merely representational but engages with the broader intellectual currents of his time, reflecting a semiotic system of signs. The lithograph, through its formal elegance, asks us to consider how objects can be both functional and carriers of deeper cultural meaning.