Opheffing Nederlandsche Overzeese Trust Maatschappij 1919

This ceramic plate was made by De Porceleijne Fles, and commemorates the Dutch Overseas Trust Company. Look at the dreamy blue and white decoration. You can just imagine someone carefully painting each little detail. I'm drawn to the way that the repeated ornamental motifs create a sense of flow. You have to wonder what was going through the artist's mind as they were working. Did they feel a sense of pride in their country? A sense of hope for the future? The more you look at it, the more you realize the artist really knew their stuff. It kind of reminds me of some folk art I've seen. It's like they're all participating in a big conversation. Each artist adds something new, and the conversation keeps going. It's wild to think about the connections between artists across time. I love it!