Zes emaillen borden, opgesteld tijdens de Exposition Rétrospective van 1873 in Tours, Frankrijk 1873

These are six enamel plates by Gabriel Blaise, displayed at the 1873 retrospective exhibition in Tours, France. The arrangement of these circular forms in a grid immediately draws the eye, their monochrome palette emphasizing the intricate detail within each. Blaise's choice of enamel, a vitreous substance fused to metal, speaks to a tradition of decorative arts, yet here it becomes a canvas for complex figural scenes. Each plate, framed by an ornamental border, contains what appears to be miniature historical or mythological vignettes. The fine lines and tonal gradations, achieved through meticulous layering of enamel, create depth and texture, inviting close inspection. The use of enamel as a medium not only connects to historical craft but also challenges the conventional hierarchies between art and craft. The plates, with their detailed narratives and refined execution, ask us to reconsider how value and meaning are constructed within artistic practices. They highlight the potential of so-called minor arts to engage with major themes.