Vaas met saterkoppen 1755 - 1782

Editor: This is "Vaas met saterkoppen," or Vase with Satyr Heads, an engraving by Juste Nathan Boucher, made sometime between 1755 and 1782. I'm really drawn to the precision of the line work. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Precision is a great word. For me, it’s the tension between that precise rendering and the sheer…fantasticality? Satyr heads on a vase - talk about bringing a party to your pottery! Boucher clearly has a love for Baroque drama. Imagine the person who might have this in their 'personal sketchbook', or even commission such a piece…they likely appreciated similar concepts as myself, cherishing beauty alongside a healthy dose of playful weirdness. What do you make of the emptiness where there should be a crest? Editor: Good question. It feels like an invitation – a space for someone to project their own identity or story. Or maybe Boucher was subtly poking fun at the emptiness of status symbols? Curator: Ooh, I like where you’re going with that! Boucher's piece definitely sparks a dialogue about decoration, identity, and even humor. Maybe it wasn't meant to be empty at all, just brimming with potential for the owner's story. Is it Baroque? Is it pre-Surrealism? Maybe the most exciting art is hard to pin down. Editor: I hadn't considered the humour element so directly, but it’s clear. This piece is really thought-provoking; I find myself wanting to research Boucher’s other works and also investigate other prints in general. Curator: Me too! Looking closely has opened up this whole world. The past isn't so far away if you know where to look.