Schotel van aardewerk, beschilderd met een symmetrisch gestileerd decor 1887

This earthenware dish, decorated by Theo Colenbrander, features a stylized symmetrical design, presenting an immediate tension between function and art. The palette is constrained to greens, blues, yellows, and whites, a choice that creates a harmonious yet visually stimulating effect. The geometric and organic forms intersect in complex ways, suggesting a deeper structural interplay. Notice how the symmetry, while initially grounding, is disrupted by subtle variations in the execution of the pattern. This destabilization invites a re-evaluation of what constitutes order and design. Colenbrander's dish uses the semiotic system of signs and symbols to challenge fixed meanings. The dish blurs the line between decorative and fine art. It compels us to reconsider our understanding of design not just as aesthetic arrangement but as a system of communication.