Dish c. 1645 - 1660

This Delftware dish was created by Willem Jansz. Verstraeten. It's a fascinating example of how a simple object can become a canvas for complex ideas. The first thing that strikes you is the use of blue against the white ground of the plate. Notice the linear perspective used to create depth, drawing you into the scene. A scholar sits amidst books, alchemical instruments, and academic clutter in a study. Draped curtains create a theatrical stage. Verstraeten uses the entire surface to create an almost dizzying array of shapes and forms, all in blue monochrome. The decoration of Delftware often reflects the cultural and intellectual climate of its time. Here, the imagery of study and alchemy suggests a world of intellectual exploration, yet the almost chaotic composition could be interpreted as a critique of the excesses of scholarly pursuits. The circular format encloses a microcosm of knowledge. Consider how the form of the dish – a humble, domestic object – is elevated by Verstraeten into a space for contemplation on knowledge, domesticity, and the wider world.