Plate from the Rousseau service 1868

This is a plate from the Rousseau service, made by Félix Bracquemond in the 19th century. Bracquemond was a key figure in the revival of interest in ceramics, during a period when French artists were looking beyond European traditions and incorporating Japanese aesthetics. This plate, with its asymmetrical composition featuring a turkey, insects, and plants, diverges sharply from traditional European porcelain. Bracquemond's designs reflect the influence of Japonisme, a cultural phenomenon where Japanese art and design deeply impacted Western art. The Rousseau service, named after its commissioner Eugène Rousseau, broke from the rigid formality of bourgeois dining. Bracquemond’s choice of imagery invites a reconsideration of nature. It presents a view of the natural world that includes all living things. Does this reflect a more democratic view of society, where every element has value? This plate encourages a dialogue between art, culture, and identity. The natural world becomes a stage for exploring broader social and cultural meanings.