Paperweight c. 1845 - 1860

This paperweight, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, was made by Baccarat Glassworks. Encased in clear glass, the clustered floral arrangement captivates with its radiating symmetry and vibrant hues. Notice how the meticulous arrangement of red, white and blue flowers and green leaves creates an illusion of depth, drawing the eye into its miniature world. Formally, the paperweight embodies the era's fascination with controlled naturalism. The structural arrangement evokes a sense of order but also invites a semiotic reading: the flowers, symbols of beauty, are embalmed in glass, a transparent yet unyielding material. The artist seems to question the very notion of preservation and presentation. The clear glass acts as a lens, distorting the flowers and leaves. This distortion reflects a broader philosophical concern with perception and reality. The Baccarat Glassworks paperweight is a beautiful object but also an invitation to explore the intersection of art, nature, and representation.