Wedgwood and his works : a selection of his plaques, cameos, medallions, vases, etc. from the designs of Flaxman and others, reproduced in permanent photography by the autotype process 1873

"Wedgwood and his Works," a book by Eliza Meteyard, published in 1873, unveils the intricate world of Josiah Wedgwood's ceramics through autotype photography. Meteyard, a notable woman in a male-dominated field, celebrates Wedgwood's designs, shaped by the aesthetic and social currents of his time. Wedgwood, an 18th-century English potter, was deeply influenced by the Neoclassical movement, which drew inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art. This artistic direction reflected the era's fascination with antiquity, but also Wedgwood's own values and vision. His creations, often adorned with mythological scenes and classical figures, catered to the tastes of the British elite while subtly promoting ideals of refinement and enlightenment. This book not only documents Wedgwood's artistic achievements, but also invites reflection on the cultural values embedded within these objects, and the historical context that shaped their creation.