Artwork
Suite of Vases: Plate 3
Suite of Vases: Plate 3 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
This painting shows a set of vases with unique designs.
The vases are decorated with fantastic creatures, which was a deviation from classical ornament. This was a popular trend during the mid-18th century, where artists could let their imagination run wild.
You can see more artwork like this at the museum where this piece is held, The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Overview
Plate 3 from 'Suite of Vases' is an etching by sculptor-turned-printmaker Saly, part of a 30-piece set published during his time in Rome (1740-1746). The work showcases ornamental vase designs adorned with fantastical creatures, reflecting a mid-18th-century trend that favored imaginative embellishments over strict classical ornamentation.
Subject & Meaning
The subject is a set of vases, but the true focus lies in their unconventional decorations, featuring a diverse array of imaginary creatures. This deviation from antique norms highlights the artist's embrace of creative liberty, characteristic of the era's design ethos.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the piece demonstrates Saly's adaptation of sculptural training to a two-dimensional medium. The style blends foundational classical vase forms with a flamboyant, imaginative approach to ornamentation, distinguishing it from more traditional decorative arts of the time.
History & Provenance
Published between 1740 and 1746 while Saly was a student at the French Academy in Rome, this etching is part of a larger suite of 30 works. Currently, it is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
Created amidst a surge in popularity for designing ornamental vases in the mid-18th century, the work captures the era's penchant for unbridled creativity in decorative arts, unencumbered by the constraints of classical restraint.
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.
