Ontwerp voor een kan met deksel c. 1765 - 1775

Jean-Charles Delafosse rendered this ink drawing, "Design for a Covered Jug," teeming with symbolism and historic references. Notice the prominent use of the seashell motif, a symbol deeply embedded in our collective consciousness. Seashells, like the scallop, have long been associated with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, often depicted emerging from a giant scallop shell. In Christian iconography, the scallop shell is the emblem of Saint James, the patron saint of pilgrims. This symbol transcends cultures, appearing in Renaissance paintings, adorning the garments of Botticelli's Venus, and echoing in Baroque fountains. But here, in Delafosse's design, the seashell takes on a new, almost architectural dimension. It evokes a sense of both classical elegance and a latent, primal energy, engaging us on a subconscious level. The motif has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.