Bord, met op het plat drenkend vee c. 1859 - 1863

This plate showing cattle drinking, by Guillaume Lambert, presents a pastoral scene, printed on earthenware. The decoration may seem simple but we need to think about the context in which it was made and the society it spoke to. In Europe, advances in ceramic printing during the 19th century democratized access to decorative arts. This plate likely found its place in a middle-class home, its rural imagery idealizing a life far removed from urban realities. The scene suggests an ordered, prosperous countryside. But to understand fully, one must ask: Whose countryside is this? Who benefits from its order? What is the relationship between this idealized image and the actual, often harsh, conditions of rural life? Understanding this plate means engaging with economic history, studying the development of the ceramics industry, and delving into the social history of taste. Only then can we truly grasp the significance of such an object.