Monumental vase 1902

Editor: We're looking at a "Monumental Vase" crafted in 1902 by Jacques Sicard. The shimmering ceramic is currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. There is this striking iridescence all over, making the floral decoration appear very ethereal. What stands out to you when you examine it? Curator: Immediately, the visual weight lies in its form. Consider the structure, that subtle waist of the vase. The artist elegantly counterposes this by echoing the curved waist of the vessel through floral decorative relief. Notice also that vertical striations of glaze support upward thrust, reinforcing structural unity. Editor: Are the shimmering colours just a surface decoration? Curator: That is reductive. Think of how Sicard masterfully manipulated surface qualities of ceramics with the lustre glazing technique. Each reflected flash of the light articulates discrete qualities of the vase that would otherwise remain hidden. Each visual feature contributes to the vase's structural syntax, from the flower petals to gradations in green tonality near the base. Editor: So you're seeing beyond just what the vase depicts, but also how it's constructed and how its visual elements come together to form a unique language. It feels like appreciating its presence and the effect on a viewer. Curator: Precisely. It’s less about symbolic interpretations of flowers, and more about understanding how colour, line, and form create an impactful presence. Editor: I see now! Thank you for pointing out how to examine and interpret the ceramic.