Drie wierookvaten 1817

Pietro Ruga created this drawing, titled 'Three Incense Vessels', with pen and ink. Incense vessels have existed in a range of different cultures, and the designs seen here reflect a moment in which Western artists looked to global traditions, reinterpreting them through a European lens. Consider the institutional and social function of such vessels: they often play a role in religious rituals, in which the elite classes often participated. Looking at the context in which Ruga was working, perhaps in Italy, what role did the Church play in the creation and reception of such objects? As historians, we can ask questions about the design and significance of such objects by looking at archival sources, religious texts, and the history of design. Thinking about art’s place in society asks us to reflect on its complex relationship to power.