Soup plate (part of a set of three) 1866 - 1875

This soup plate is one of a set of three made by Félix Bracquemond, a central figure in the 19th-century French art world. During this time, artists and designers found inspiration in Japanese art, known as Japonisme, and this plate is no exception. Bracquemond embraced Japonisme and integrated elements from Japanese prints into his decorative work. Here, the fish, flowers, and insects are not arranged in a traditional, symmetrical way. Instead, they're scattered across the plate, creating a sense of movement and asymmetry. The blue rim around the plate evokes a sense of the sea, complementing the marine life depicted. It’s fascinating to consider how the incorporation of Japanese aesthetics challenged Western art's established norms. Bracquemond's soup plate invites us to reconsider the relationship between art, culture, and identity, and how artistic exchange can broaden our perspectives and challenge existing social hierarchies.