Design for a Plate with Cyclamens 1870 - 1890

Amédée de Caranza rendered this design for a plate with cyclamens using graphite and watercolor on paper. The choice of watercolor offers a luminosity that perfectly captures the delicate, translucent quality of the cyclamen petals and leaves. But this isn't just a pretty botanical study. The design, meticulously drafted with graphite, suggests a template for mass production, linking it to the industrial processes of the era. The regularity of the floral pattern, contained within a precisely drawn circle, speaks to the era’s fascination with both nature and industrial efficiency. It reflects the dynamics of production and consumption during that time. Consider the labor involved: from the artist drafting the design, to the factory workers potentially reproducing it on ceramic plates. By looking closely at the materials and processes used, we gain insight into the social context of this elegant design. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and understand how art, craft, and industry were intertwined.