Platter
c. 1874
Medium
Glazed earthenware and gilding
Dimensions
D.: 50.5 cm (19 7/8 in.)
Classification
ceramics
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
261781
Art Historical Context
Félix Henri Bracquemond's *Platter* (c. 1874) is a stunning example of late 19th-century French ceramics, blending functionality with artistic flair. Crafted from glazed earthenware and enriched with gilding, this generously sized piece—measuring 50.5 cm in diameter—served as both a practical serving dish and a decorative centerpiece. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Applied Arts of Europe, it exemplifies the era's elevation of everyday objects into fine art. Bracquemond, a pioneering etcher and printmaker closely linked to the Impressionists, was a key figure in the Jap...
About the Artist
Félix Henri Bracquemond · 1833–1914
Félix Henri Bracquemond was born in Paris in 1833 and came of age during one of the most transformative periods in French art history. He trained primarily as an engraver and etcher, studying under Joseph Guichard before finding his true calling in printmaking. His technical mastery of etching quickly distinguished him among his contemporaries, and he formed lasting friendships with Édouard Manet,...