Soup plate (part of a set of three) 1866 - 1875

This soup plate was made by Félix Bracquemond in the late 19th century, crafted from porcelain and decorated with painted designs. Porcelain, a refined ceramic material, gains its strength and translucence from high-temperature firing, emblematic of industrial processes during the period. The smooth, white surface of this plate serves as a canvas for Bracquemond’s whimsical, asymmetrical composition of insects, plants and a turkey. The artist took inspiration from Japanese prints in the design, contrasting with the industrial mode of production. The act of painting onto a mass-produced object infuses it with individuality, softening the impact of industrialization. Consider the labor involved in both the plate's manufacture and its hand-painted decoration; the transfer of skilled artistic labor onto an object intended for everyday use complicates the boundary between art and craft. Ultimately, understanding the intersection of industrial production, artistic intervention, and cultural exchange is key to appreciating this seemingly simple soup plate.