Albarello 1540 - 1550

This 16th-century albarello, a type of ceramic jar used to store medicinal powders, is a striking example of the work of the French potter Masséot Abaquesne. The vessel's tin-glazed earthenware body is decorated with a profile portrait of a bearded man in blue and yellow, surrounded by stylized foliage. The detailed painting and vibrant colors are characteristic of Abaquesne's style, which blended Italian Renaissance influences with traditional French techniques. The albarello, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a testament to the artistic prowess of this influential potter.