Wide-rimmed bowl 1525 - 1555

This wide-rimmed bowl was made by Jacopo da Pesaro in the 16th century. It features a captivating array of symbolic elements. An angelic figure, a profile portrait, weaponry, musical notation, and a Latin inscription combine to form a rich tapestry of meaning. The Cupid-like figure is a motif that stretches back to antiquity, representing love and desire, seen in funerary art and the Roman adaptation of Eros. On the other hand, the tools of war contrast the pursuit of beauty and harmony found in musical notation, which, since antiquity, was considered a mathematical art form of ordered proportions. The face in profile calls to mind theatrical masks or emblems, adding to the bowl a sense of drama. The image's enduring appeal lies in its complex interplay of classical, humanist, and psychological symbols, continuously resurfacing and evolving, reflecting our deepest desires, fears, and cultural memories.