Dish 1550 - 1599

This ceramic dish, by Bernard Palissy, presents a striking array of natural forms against a dark, glazed background. Its oval shape is immediately softened by the undulating leaves, shells and fruits meticulously arranged across the surface. The texture is palpable, inviting a tactile experience through its highly detailed and molded components. Palissy’s work reflects a fascination with the natural world, embodying a kind of Renaissance cabinet of curiosities, translated into ceramic form. This piece can be viewed through the lens of semiotics, where each element functions as a signifier. The shells, plants, and fruits are not merely decorative but evoke ideas about nature's bounty and the artist’s mastery over its representation. The dish destabilizes the traditional understanding of ceramics by transforming a functional object into a tableau of the natural world. Note how the high-relief of the natural forms challenges our perception, blurring the line between object and representation. This dish serves as a reminder of how art can transform the ordinary, inviting us to see the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder.