Linkerzijde van een gedamascineerd ijzeren vaas c. 1870 - 1880

Plácido Zuloaga created this design for a damascened iron vase, using pencil, grey wash, and yellow watercolor. Zuloaga came from a lineage of metalworkers. His work reflects the cultural currents of 19th-century Spain, a period marked by a fascination with its own history and identity. Damascening, the art of inlaying different metals into one another, has roots stretching back to ancient Damascus, yet experienced a revival in Europe, especially Spain, during this period. This drawing offers a glimpse into the ornamental language of the time, where historical motifs were reinterpreted through a lens of nationalism and craft revival. The vase itself, if realized, would have been more than just a vessel. It would have been a statement, a testament to Spanish artistry.