Schotel, beschilderd met bloemen en laddermotief c. 1775 - 1778

This is a Loosdrecht plate painted with flowers and a ladder pattern. The delicate piece presents a visual experience dominated by asymmetry and the tension between organic and geometric forms. The central floral arrangement bursts with vibrant colors set against the stark white backdrop, drawing your eye immediately. The plate's rim is decorated with a green ladder motif. The design introduces a systematic structure that contrasts with the free-flowing, naturalistic depiction of flowers. This juxtaposition creates a visual paradox, where the rigidity of the ladder pattern frames the soft, unruly nature of the floral bouquet. The placement of floral elements are seemingly scattered, challenging the traditional, balanced arrangements common in decorative arts. The single, smaller spray of flowers near the rim offers a subtle counterpoint to the more prominent central cluster. This considered disarray invites us to question conventional notions of beauty and order. Here, the form is not just decorative; it actively engages with ideas about perception and representation.