Dish 17th century

Curator: This ceramic "Dish" was crafted by Bernard Palissy in the 17th century and is part of the collection here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: It's an oddly mesmerizing piece, almost hypnotic with the symmetry and dense ornamentation. It’s simultaneously chaotic and remarkably structured. Curator: Palissy was known for his innovative approach to ceramics, pushing the boundaries of what the material could do. There's a great deal of symbolism to be found here in this ceramic ware. The details remind me of patterns in illuminated manuscripts, perhaps echoing an intellectual tradition of knowledge sharing. Editor: It seems difficult to divorce this type of ornate work from its societal context. The elaborate design and detailed execution suggests wealth and power; that it's created for those with the resources to afford this luxury of decorative objects. But does this level of excess hold contemporary relevance, or does it further amplify societal divisions? Curator: Decorative art serves a purpose beyond simple ornamentation; it creates identity. Consider that the floral and swirling motifs were incredibly fashionable, signaling an embrace of humanist thought then circulating throughout Europe. A dish becomes an affirmation. Editor: I can't help but consider this object outside just an affirmation of knowledge and taste, since it’s hard for me to just celebrate that affirmation considering the brutal power dynamics of that time. A ceramic dish may have brought beauty to an individual, but to the expense of others. Can we reconcile beauty and the structural inequities required to create this beauty? Curator: It’s important not to extract the artwork from the era it was crafted in; the cultural and psychological values present reflect in part the values of the day, but the very best works transcend that context by evoking deeper connections, no matter how we respond today. The symmetry in this dish creates echoes and layers of meaning which continue to evolve even now. Editor: Perhaps by recontextualizing such artworks within larger conversations regarding historical imbalances, we may then reveal fresh meaning while empowering critical, empathetic, and necessary discourse.