Vase 1878

This ceramic vase by John Bennett captivates with its symmetrical, curvilinear form, complemented by a restrained palette of blues, greens, and earth tones. The cream-colored background serves as a canvas for the stylized floral motifs that encircle its body, creating an effect that is both decorative and deeply structural. Bennett masterfully utilizes the vase's surface to explore tensions between form and function. The floral patterns, while seemingly organic, are highly formalized, with each element carefully placed to enhance the vase's overall symmetry. Consider the use of color: the muted blues and greens create a harmonious balance, drawing the eye around the vase and up toward its narrow neck, which is adorned with a geometric pattern that echoes the naturalistic motifs below. The vase invites us to consider how art engages with ideas of nature and artifice, tradition, and modernity. The interplay of these elements positions the vase as a compelling object of aesthetic and cultural reflection.