Kannen van steengoed, plaat XIII 1827 - 1829

This lithograph, "Kannen van steengoed, plaat XIII" (Stoneware Jugs, plate XIII), was created by Charles Onghena. The arrangement of various stoneware jugs immediately draws the eye across the page, each meticulously rendered with a dedication to symmetry and ornamental detail. The composition organizes the jugs into a grid, a structure which invites a comparative analysis. Each vessel, while sharing the basic form of a jug, displays unique surface decorations and subtle variations in shape. Onghena captures the interplay between functional design and decorative impulse, which highlights the intersection of utility and artistic expression. It could be interpreted as an exploration of seriality, emphasizing the subtle differences within a repeated form. The overall effect is one of careful cataloging, yet the visual rhythm established by the jugs' varying contours prevents the image from becoming purely documentary. It’s these formal qualities which invite us to consider the cultural and aesthetic values placed on everyday objects.