Plate 1776 - 1883

This plate was made by Emile Dupont-Zipcy in the 19th century. On its surface, a pinkish portrait immediately draws the eye, stark against the pale ceramic. The image and plate's circular form create a closed composition. Dupont-Zipcy's plate invites us to reconsider the relationship between form and function. Typically, plates serve a utilitarian purpose, yet here, the artist elevates the object into the realm of art. This echoes broader 19th-century debates about the role of art in everyday life, challenging the strict separation of fine art and decorative crafts. The plate uses a semiotic system of signs to signify status through portraiture, while also existing as a functional object. Ultimately, Dupont-Zipcy’s choice to use a common household item as a canvas prompts us to question the established categories of art and design, suggesting a fluidity between them.