Vase with leaves 1903

Curator: This is "Vase with leaves," crafted in 1903 by Artus Van Briggle. You'll find this elegant example of Art Nouveau earthenware at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: Wow, my first thought? It looks like something found deep in the ocean. Curator: Precisely, it embodies the organic forms and sinuous lines characteristic of the Art Nouveau style. Note how the impressed stylized leaves aren't merely surface decoration. Instead, they rise as integral components of the overall shape. Editor: Like subtle currents swirling around a fixed point, there is a gentle upward flow—it almost seems alive, softly breathing. The coloring adds to this organic feel too. Curator: Observe how the glaze pools in the recesses, accentuating the relief. Van Briggle's innovative matte glazes create a nuanced interplay of light and shadow, furthering this sculptural dynamism. It demonstrates an appreciation for natural forms that moves beyond mere imitation to embrace suggestion and symbol. Editor: And the scale is surprisingly intimate, yes? It's not monumental but personal, begging you to run your fingers along the matte, mottled surface, feeling every tiny shift in the material. It’s grounding and mysterious at the same time, like something you would protect, or use to store small trinkets of great significance. Curator: Considering Van Briggle's career began in painting before transitioning to pottery after contracting tuberculosis, one sees parallels between the glazing effects and atmospheric sfumato techniques— Editor: A gorgeous synthesis. It really underscores how something born out of adversity can still bloom into beauty, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed, reflecting upon this artwork reveals not only Van Briggle’s technical mastery but also a unique artistic vision attuned to the subtleties of natural form. Editor: Yeah. A truly calming piece. Something worth carrying with you into the hectic crush of New York.