Artwork
Suite of Vases: Plate 29
Suite of Vases: Plate 29 is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques François Saly. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Suite of Vases: Plate 29 is an etching from a set of 30 published by Jean-Antoine Saly, a sculptor-turned-printmaker, during his time at the French Academy in Rome (1740-1746). The work showcases an imaginative, ornate vase design.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a fanciful vase adorned with twisting vines and playful sea creatures, blending real and fantastical elements. Notably, a mermaid-like figure curls around the handle, exemplifying Saly's departure from classical norms.
Technique & Style
Saly's background in sculpture influences the three-dimensional quality of the vase's design. His etching technique combines classical vase forms with inventive, non-traditional ornamentation, characteristic of mid-18th-century decorative arts' emphasis on imagination.
History & Provenance
Published between 1740 and 1746, this etching is part of Saly's 30-piece set created during his studies at the French Academy in Rome. The piece is now part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques François Joseph Saly, also known as Jacques Saly (20 June 1717 – 4 May 1776), French-born sculptor who worked in France, Italy and Malta.
