Soup Plate 1818 - 1837

This soup plate was made in the early 19th century, in England, by James and Ralph Clews, using earthenware with transfer decoration. It invites us to think about the public role of art and the politics of imagery in a rapidly industrializing world. The idyllic scene at the plate's center creates meaning through recognizable visual codes such as picturesque composition and romanticized figures, referencing established traditions of landscape painting. Made during a period of significant social and economic change in England, where industrialization was reshaping the landscape and the lives of its inhabitants, this soup plate served as a reminder of a more peaceful past. The existence of mass-produced ceramics implies the rise of an aspirational middle class, one that sought to emulate the lifestyles of the aristocracy. By studying the history of such objects, we can learn about the values, beliefs, and desires of the people who made and used them. The soup plate can be seen as a commentary on the social structures of its time, reflecting both nostalgia for the past and the ambitions of a rising class.