Plaque 1892 - 1903

Editor: This is a ceramic plaque, created between 1892 and 1903. The artist was Caroline H. Rimmer. It's currently here at the Met. I find it remarkably tactile. The figures almost emerge from the surface. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, it whispers tales, doesn't it? There's a kind of quiet intimacy here. Rimmer, she wasn’t just shaping clay, she was conjuring emotion. I think she was likely drawn to that inherent tension: a moment of both vulnerability and serene composure all in one breath. I wonder, does her rendering, in your mind, echo classical myths in any way? Editor: Yes, actually! The swan definitely makes me think of the story of Leda and the Swan, but here, it feels less… violent? Curator: Precisely. It’s like Rimmer reimagined it, subverted the myth. Made it softer, gentler. Notice the direction the figures are facing, almost inward; it feels… introspective. This isn’t about forceful abduction. The scene possesses more of an essence akin to willing transformation, almost a communion with nature. Editor: That’s interesting, I didn’t think about the composition in that way. So, it is not only an intimate encounter between these figures but also, perhaps, a personal transformation. Curator: Exactly. It leaves me contemplating how Rimmer transformed a classical, often charged subject into such a delicate, thoughtful reflection. It feels so...her. Editor: I'll definitely look at Caroline Rimmer's other work and revisit those classical stories. Thanks!