Vazen en schalen 1820

Charles Pierre Joseph Normand made this print of vases and bowls sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Normand was a French printmaker known for his detailed engravings, often reproducing classical and neoclassical designs. The vases depicted here reflect the broader cultural fascination with antiquity during this period. This interest was fuelled by archaeological discoveries, influencing art, architecture, and decorative arts across Europe. The clean lines and idealized forms evoke the values of order and reason associated with the Enlightenment, while the scenes that adorn them reference a classical past. Normand's prints, like this one, played a crucial role in disseminating these styles, serving as models for artisans and influencing taste. Art historians can learn much from prints like this by examining how classical forms were adapted and reinterpreted in different cultural and social contexts. Investigating period pattern books and design manuals will shed light on the transmission of artistic ideas and the evolving aesthetics of the era.