Artwork
Suite of Vases: Plate 16
Suite of Vases: Plate 16 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
The vase looks like old Roman ones, but the carved animals are totally made up—part bird, part fish, part dragon.
This etching shows a fancy vase covered in strange creatures. The vase looks like old Roman ones, but the carved animals are totally made up—part bird, part fish, part dragon.
Saly trained as a sculptor but made these prints in Rome. He loved mixing real shapes with wild imaginings. The lines are crisp and clean, like a carving in paper.
Want to see more like this? Look up Jacques François Saly (French, 1717–1776).
Overview
Plate 16 from Suite of Vases is an etching by Jacques François Saly, a French sculptor-turned-printmaker, created during his time at the French Academy in Rome (1740-1746). The work showcases a fanciful vase design, blending classical forms with imaginative embellishments.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a decorative vase, rooted in antique Roman forms, yet distinguished by ornate decorations featuring hybrid, fantastical creatures (part bird, part fish, part dragon). This blend reflects Saly's inclination to innovate upon classical themes.
Technique & Style
Executed with crisp, clean lines reminiscent of sculptural carving, the etching demonstrates Saly's sculptor's eye for detail and texture, translated into a two-dimensional print. The technique highlights the interplay between realism and fantasy.
History & Provenance
Published as part of a set of 30 etchings during Saly's tenure at the French Academy in Rome (1740-1746), this piece is characteristic of the mid-18th century's penchant for imaginative vase designs, unencumbered by historical or functional constraints.
Context
Reflecting the artistic liberties afforded to 18th-century designers, Saly's work on Suite of Vases, including Plate 16, sits within a broader trend of combining classical influences with fanciful elements, popular among artists and collectors of the time.
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.
