Plate with a Scene from L’Astrée

CultureFrench

ManufacturedNevers, France

PeriodSecond half of the 17th century, beginning of the 18th century

Date1650-1700

MediumTin-glazed earthenware (grand feu faience)

DimensionsOverall: 1.3 × 22.9 cm (1/2 × 9 in.)

DescriptionThe pastoral scene featuring lovers in a landscape may have been inspired by Honoré d’Urfé’s hugely popular pastoral novel L’Astrée (1607-1627). One of the most influential works of 17th-century French literature, L’Astrée is a monumental novel in six parts that tells the love story between a shepherd and a shepherdess, Astrée and Céladon. The dish is decorated in a style known as a compendiario inspired by Italian maiolica from the second half of the 16th century; it is characterised by loose brushwork using primarily blue and yellow.

Credit LineThe Pierre Karch and Mariel O'Neill-Karch Collection.

Object numberG14.4.12

Classifications

European Ceramics

Sub-classification

French Earthenware - Faïence

Collections

Status

Not on view