Vaas met gezichten 1755 - 1768

Editor: Here we have Percenet’s “Vaas met gezichten,” or "Vase with Faces," dating from the mid-18th century. It’s an ink and engraving on paper currently held at the Rijksmuseum. I am immediately struck by the ornamentation! All those little faces. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, my dear, it’s a dance between order and… well, let's call it joyful chaos. It feels almost like a dream I once had after eating too much cheese. It’s from the Baroque period, you see, and while the classical-realism style imposes a structure, a certain controlled elegance, those faces are quite lively aren't they? Makes you wonder what they are whispering, or about to sing! Does it bring to mind any specific characters? Editor: Not really. They are quite subtle. More like adornments to me. I guess it fits with the decorative arts designation. Curator: True! This work feels like it teeters between art and design, right? In the 18th century, distinctions weren't so firm. Artists and artisans mingled much more freely, swapping ideas like gossip. Makes me think of the great houses that these things lived in. The vase sits on a shelf looking down at masked balls. I’m making things up, of course! Editor: Ha! I love that. Looking at it in that light, I feel more interested in the cultural context. How all those people wearing masks might have viewed this vase and others. Thanks! Curator: Exactly! It's the 'why' someone created this, that pulls us back. And brings us forward again too. Art is never truly still, you know.