Six Designs for Decorated Plates 1845 - 1855

Editor: So, here we have Alfred Henry Forrester’s "Six Designs for Decorated Plates," dating from about 1845 to 1855. It’s a watercolor and coloured pencil drawing with print elements. I’m immediately struck by how ornate these designs are. What is your take on this work, considering its formalism? Curator: From a formalist perspective, these designs offer a fascinating study in symmetry and the deliberate arrangement of shapes. Observe how each plate design is segmented, inviting us to dissect its individual components: color, line, and form. Notice the recurring motifs. Editor: You mean like the ribbons and flowers? I hadn't considered the repetition that closely. Curator: Precisely. These recurring elements are carefully deployed. Examine, for instance, the rhythmic use of blue—how it functions both as a grounding element and a point of visual departure across the six designs. How does the variation in color density contribute to the overall aesthetic effect? Editor: It almost creates a visual hierarchy. The deeper blues seem to anchor the design, while the lighter washes soften it. Does the symmetrical layout lend itself to a particular style or tradition? Curator: The symmetrical arrangement certainly nods towards classical ideals of balance and order. Yet, the unique patterns and whimsical touches betray a more contemporary sensibility. These patterns challenge our gaze, refusing a single, dominant focal point, inviting a decentralized reading of each composition. Editor: So, by studying the internal visual components and their relationship to each other, we get a sense of its aesthetic aims, which are, on the surface, symmetry and balance but there are quirks in each composition. That’s really interesting. Thank you. Curator: A pleasure. Delving into the inherent structure of the designs really highlights their complexity and innovation, hopefully it does for our listeners as well.