Design for a Vase 1765 - 1790

This is a design for a vase made with watercolor and graphite, now at the Metropolitan Museum. Note the Quatrefoil patterns containing floral bouquets. They are not merely decorative; they are echoes of a past life. The Quatrefoil motif, symbolic of good luck, as it resembles a four-leaf clover. The shape's association with luck and protection dates back to medieval Europe. But observe how, over time, the quatrefoil has been transformed. From gothic architecture to heraldic emblems to, here, a pretty vase. It is a testament to the enduring human need for symbols of hope and fortune, an attempt to exert control over the uncertainties of existence. The floral decoration is an optimistic promise of renewal. These symbols are potent because they tap into our collective unconscious. A comforting, timeless pattern promising beauty and prosperity. The vase becomes more than an object; it’s a vessel of our shared human desire for beauty and good fortune.