Africa (part of a set)

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, *Africa* is a captivating 19th-century Italian earthenware plaque, measuring 9 3/8 × 12 5/16 inches. Produced in the vibrant tradition of Italian ceramics—likely at a center like Castelli—this piece draws on designs attributed to Baroque masters Charles Le Brun and Frederick de Wit. As part of a larger set, it exemplifies the era's fascination with exoticism, blending meticulous modeling with colorful glazes typical of earthenware pottery. The scene bursts with life: children, men, and majestic elephants evoke the mysteries of the African continent, rendered in a playful yet detailed style that captures both human activity and wildlife. This reflects 19th-century Europe's Romantic interest in global exploration and "otherness," often idealized in decorative arts. Earthenware's accessibility made such grand themes attainable for elite homes, showcasing technical prowess in low-relief sculpting and vibrant pigmentation. A generous gift from the Estate of James Hazen Hyde in 1959, *Africa* highlights Italy's enduring ceramic legacy, bridging 17th-century engravings with 19th-century revivalism. Visitors will delight in its whimsical narrative, a window into how art transported distant worlds to intimate spaces.