Dish 1880 - 1890

Editor: Here we have Emile Galle’s earthenware "Dish," likely created between 1880 and 1890. It’s a striking piece – the reddish-brown glaze is very tactile and immediately draws your eye to the chrysanthemums and what looks like a praying mantis. It feels like something between decorative and symbolic, I’m wondering how we should read that imagery? Curator: That’s a perceptive observation! Let’s consider those symbols. The chrysanthemum, deeply rooted in Asian art, frequently signifies longevity, rejuvenation, and nobility, especially in Japanese culture that influenced the Art Nouveau style. Now, what does the praying mantis, a predator, contribute to this symbolism? Editor: I guess, the mantis sort of throws me off... the flower feels delicate and beautiful, and the insect…feels…aggressive. Curator: Consider its posture. It is not actively preying but observant, almost contemplative. Might this pairing suggest a delicate balance of power or a commentary on the ephemeral nature of beauty? In Japanese art, insects can represent autumn and impermanence. What do you think of that, considering the blooming chrysanthemum? Editor: I didn't even consider that insects also could embody more meanings! Now that you say that about autumn and a possible message of everything eventually fading away, I also think about this as a moment captured. I feel the tension a bit differently now; the scene is both beautiful and a warning to enjoy it, because life's transient! Curator: Precisely. By interweaving East Asian symbols within the Art Nouveau movement, Galle achieves something beautiful: a visual conversation between cultures and a poignant reminder of life’s fleeting beauty, urging reflection on life cycles. Editor: Thank you. It is much more meaningful now that I see the multiple layers of interpretation within the object and not simply decorative motifs!