Plate with an orange tree and portraits of William V and Wilhelmina of Prussia c. 1780 - 1795

Editor: This earthenware plate, made around 1780-1795, features portraits of William V and Wilhelmina of Prussia. The imagery, including an orange tree, feels very deliberate, almost symbolic. What strikes you about its visual composition? Curator: The carefully arranged elements speak volumes. Observe the bilateral symmetry: the two portraits flank the central orange tree, its fruit echoing the portraits’ features. This symmetry isn't merely decorative; it reinforces a sense of balance and order, reflecting perhaps the desired stability of their reign. Note how the text encircles the central images. It constrains the portraits and, like the images, it must have symbolic meaning that is being visually enforced upon the images themselves. The scalloped rim and floral patterns further augment the plate's aesthetic appeal, framing the scene like a painting, underscoring the plate's status as an art object rather than a mere functional item. Editor: So, the structure emphasizes balance and stability. Does the materiality contribute to this interpretation? Curator: Absolutely. Earthenware, as a common material, democratizes the image. It suggests that this representation of power and stability was intended for broader consumption and dissemination, thus furthering the monarchy itself. Ask yourself: Why render such a potentially powerful image on such mundane material? What effect does that juxtaposition have on its interpretation? Editor: That’s interesting – making the powerful accessible! It’s not just about aesthetics, it's about making a statement through structure and material. Curator: Precisely. Formal analysis reveals the plate to be not just a decorative item, but a carefully constructed piece of propaganda.