Vases Nouveaux Composées par M. Jacque[s] 1700 - 1800

Maurice Jacques created this print, Vases Nouveaux Composées par M. Jacque[s], using etching techniques. Notice the vase is centrally composed, its form symmetrical, and detailed with neoclassical motifs. The etched lines define the vase’s contours, creating subtle gradations of tone that imply volume and texture. The meticulous rendering of the laurel garlands and fluted surfaces speaks to an interest in classical forms, popular during the 18th century. The vase is not merely depicted but presented as an ideal form, reflecting Enlightenment values of order, reason, and the revival of classical aesthetics. The detailed etching work transforms the functional object into a symbol of cultural and artistic refinement. While rooted in its historical context, the print invites us to consider how objects communicate meaning through their form and decoration. Jacques's vase becomes a signifier of taste, knowledge, and the pursuit of aesthetic perfection, offering an insight into the cultural codes of its time.