Azulejo 

This azulejo, made by Rene Bertholo, employs a process of painting on individual ceramic tiles. A well-established tradition in Portugal, azulejo tilework is a blend of craft and industrial production, traditionally seen in the context of architecture. Here, the tiles themselves, likely mass-produced, have an inherent quality of uniformity, providing a grid-like structure for the image. The colors are flat and the forms are simplified, emphasizing the hard, smooth, and durable nature of ceramic. Bertholo's application of bold outlines and blocks of color showcases the directness and graphic potential of the medium. Azulejo's significance lies in its blend of art, architecture, and utility, connecting artistic expression with everyday life and questioning traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.