Theme & Variations Decorative Plate #150 (Two Circles with Faces) 

This decorative plate was made by Piero Fornasetti, likely in the mid-20th century, using porcelain with a printed overglaze decoration. Here, the choice of material is critical. Porcelain, with its associations of refinement and mass production, underscores the essence of Fornasetti’s artistic project. The plate features two circles with faces, a recurring motif in Fornasetti’s work, taken from the face of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. This design is not hand-painted but industrially printed, enabling the artist to create countless variations with relatively little labor. The glossy surface, achieved through overglaze, enhances the visual impact, while the simple color palette adds a touch of modernity. Fornasetti blurred the lines between craft, design, and art, embracing industrial techniques to democratize his aesthetic. By applying his surrealist imagery to functional objects, he made art accessible to a wider audience, challenging the traditional hierarchies of the art world. Ultimately, this plate invites us to reconsider the value and meaning of everyday objects.