Schaal, beschilderd met bloemboeketten c. 1760 - 1775

This is a ceramic dish painted with floral bouquets by Joseph Hannonge. The composition centers on the interplay between the blank white space of the porcelain and the vibrant, asymmetrical arrangements of flowers. Notice how the artist uses the smooth, reflective surface of the dish as a ground, allowing the painted flowers to seemingly float. This evokes a sense of delicate transience. Hannonge has created a dynamic relationship between figure and ground, foregrounding the applied decoration against the form of the object itself. The soft purples, pinks, and greens of the flowers contrast with the stark white, while the scalloped edge of the dish frames the composition, adding a layer of visual complexity. The floral motifs themselves function as signs, hinting at cultural values associated with nature and beauty, but the strategic placement and asymmetry disrupt any sense of formal symmetry. This dish isn't just functional, it embodies an exploration of surface, decoration, and the tension between art and utility.