Ontwerp voor een ovale terrine c. 1765 - 1775

This is Luigi Valadier's design for an oval terrine made in the 18th century. Valadier, born in Rome, came from a family of goldsmiths and metalworkers, a lineage that deeply influenced his artistic path. Consider the historical and cultural context of 18th-century Rome. It was a city undergoing a transformation, seeking to recapture the glory of its ancient past through Neoclassical art and architecture. This drawing for a terrine is not just a design; it reflects the era's fascination with classical forms, symmetry, and order, embodying the aesthetic values of its time. The terrine, an object associated with dining and social rituals, speaks volumes about the culture and class distinctions of the era. It evokes a world where such items were symbols of status, used to create impressions of wealth and sophistication. Valadier's work invites us to reflect on how objects can transcend their practical functions to become emblems of identity and social standing.