Pair of vases 1877 - 1891

These vases were created by Edouard-Alexandre Dammouse, a 19th-century French artist who worked during a period of great enthusiasm for Japanese art and design. In the late 19th century, Japonisme swept through Western art. Artists turned to Japanese prints, ceramics, and textiles for inspiration. Dammouse was part of this movement, integrating Japanese floral motifs and ceramic techniques into his own work. These vases reflect a moment when cultural exchange allowed artists to look beyond Western traditions and explore new ways of representing the natural world. The flowers, rendered in a soft palette, evoke the delicate beauty of Japanese botanical art. Yet, the form of the vases remains distinctly European. They remind us of how artists navigate their identities within the context of cultural exchange. Think about what it means to embrace another culture's aesthetic while staying true to one's own artistic heritage. The emotional depth in these vases resides in this artistic negotiation, creating something that feels both familiar and strikingly new.