Vase c. 20th century

This vase, made by Charles Chatteaux, invites us to consider the meeting point between craft and fine art, decoration and representation. Look at how the cobalt blue outlines and stylized forms give a graphic punch, flattening the image while also celebrating the vase's three-dimensionality. The crackled glaze on the white areas is like a map of tiny roads, it brings a tactile element to the smooth surface and a sense of age, even if it’s an intentional effect. Notice how the deep blues in the deer are punctuated with lighter spots, a rhythmic pattern against the animal's smooth silhouette. The plants reaching up around its legs have a similar vibrancy, but darker, more ominous. Chatteaux reminds me of other artists working around the turn of the century like Emile Gallé, who were interested in blurring the boundaries between art and craft, between nature and design, and who also embraced the slightly psychedelic, totally mesmerizing quality of decoration. There's no easy answer here, just an invitation to look closely and enjoy the ride.