Vase (rolwagen) with a company in a landscape c. 1635 - 1650

This striking vase at the Rijksmuseum, of unknown origin, captivates with its blue and white depiction of figures within a stylized landscape. The initial impression is one of verticality, emphasized by the cylindrical form and the upward movement of the depicted scenes. The composition is divided into registers, each featuring stylized representations of nature and human activity. Notice how the blue brushstrokes define the forms, creating depth and texture against the white background. The trees, figures, and architectural elements are rendered with a semiotic economy, inviting interpretation. The vase operates within a historical context where the representation of nature was not merely mimetic but encoded with cultural meanings. The deliberate arrangement of motifs suggests a narrative, and the contrast between the clear, white background and the rich blue imagery invites us to decode the relations between space, figure, and ground. The tension between decoration and utility raises questions about the object’s function.