Wine glass cooler (seau à verre) 1745 - 1755

This wine glass cooler was made around the mid-18th century at the Vincennes Manufactory. Observe the idyllic scene painted on its side: a quaint house, trees, and a meandering path, evoking a sense of pastoral tranquility. The depiction of landscapes and houses can be traced back to ancient Roman frescoes, where villas represented not just dwellings but ideals of comfort and cultivated living. Such images tap into a deep-seated longing for harmony with nature. Even in later Dutch Golden Age paintings, similar motifs suggest themes of domesticity and moral virtue. However, the seemingly simple image of a house can also serve as an anchor for collective memories and subconscious associations. The human desire to create a sense of ‘home’ stirs emotions associated with shelter, security, and belonging. This emblem transcends mere architectural representation to engage the viewer on a profound, psychological level. The symbol of the house resurfaces across time, evolving yet persistently resonating, and inviting viewers to contemplate the cyclical interplay between our present and enduring human longings.