Design for Two Vases 1765 - 1790

This is an anonymous design for two vases on paper. Note the symmetry and balance of the design, with each vase carefully rendered to display its decorative elements. The vase on the left commands attention with its ornate gilded stopper and the bird motif, each detail meticulously painted, enclosed within dark blue boundaries. The vase on the right, lower in height, sits squarely on the page. The artist plays with positive and negative space to draw the eye across the composition. The forms of the vases themselves create a figure-ground relationship against the white backdrop. There is a clear attempt to highlight the curvature and texture of each piece. These are not merely sketches, but blueprints infused with a sense of elegance and perhaps an invitation to consider how objects can embody cultural values. As you reflect on this design, consider the language it speaks about the relationship between art, craft and commerce.