Plate 18th century

This painted plate was made by Castelli sometime between 1700 and 1900. It presents a pastoral scene, a shepherd with his goats in a landscape, surrounded by cherubic figures, and classical motifs. The image speaks to the cultural tastes of its time, a fascination with idealized rural life, harking back to classical antiquity. This was a time when art academies across Europe promoted certain subjects, especially those from the Bible or classical literature. The image also highlights the role of institutions, like aristocratic patronage, in shaping what artists created. Wealthy families collected these decorative objects and tableware, demonstrating their refined tastes and social status. To fully appreciate this plate, one must consider the social conditions that shaped its creation. Research into the archives of Italian ceramics, records of artistic patronage, and publications on the history of taste would help us understand it better. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.