Vase with Birds and Flowers 1888

These vases with birds and flowers were made by William Barrum, and are now held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Let’s think about these vases as more than decorative art; they are a window into an era where nature was idealized, yet industrialization rapidly changed the landscape. How does the artist negotiate this tension? The choice of birds and flowers isn't arbitrary. Birds often symbolize freedom and transcendence, while flowers represent beauty and the ephemeral nature of life. But what does it mean to enshrine them in clay? Is it an attempt to preserve what’s vanishing, or to celebrate the enduring beauty that persists despite change? Consider the earthiness of the materials. Clay, water, and fire, combined with the images of the natural world connect us to elemental origins, providing a tactile experience that’s both grounding and hopeful. Take a moment to reflect on how these themes resonate with our own experiences of nature.