Plate 1814 - 1822

This plate was created by an artist on the rue de Popincourt. We see a scene painted onto its center. It's an interior scene, with a man in a military uniform on horseback seemingly abducting a woman. Such an image created on a plate implies the existence of a diner who appreciated military power. Given the man’s uniform, this plate was likely produced in France. At the time of its production, there were strong political divisions between those who supported the monarchy and those who embraced the French Revolution. As a result, there was also considerable social and political instability. Understanding that the image on this plate would have been highly legible to contemporary viewers, it raises the question of whether the plate's owner was a monarchist or an advocate for change. Careful research into similar plates and historical accounts would help to understand the social context of this piece.