Plaquette van koper met émail met voorstelling van de Geboorte van Christus en de aanbidding door de herders. c. 1725 - 1775

Curator: Oh, this is intriguing. We have here a copper plaquette adorned with enamel, dating back to the mid-18th century. Its theme is the Nativity, specifically depicting the birth of Christ and the Adoration of the Shepherds. It's an anonymous work, thought to be done around 1725 to 1775 by Jean-Baptiste (I) Nouailher, a French enameller. Editor: The very first impression that struck me is of a sacred stage lit dramatically against a velvet-black backdrop. A single lamb at the foot of the manger completes a very baroque vision. The enamelling adds such jewel-like luster, like miniature stained glass. Curator: The use of enamel is interesting. This technique was popular during that time for creating durable, detailed images, often used for decorative or devotional objects. These plaques often served as luxury items, prized for both their craftsmanship and religious significance, reflecting the era's socio-political interweaving of faith and affluence. Editor: The colors are vivid yet also feel a bit muted, which gives the whole scene a dreamy, ethereal quality. But it's not just sweetness; there's something quite formal in the poses of the figures surrounding the infant, a touch of drama amidst the tender scene. Baroque in essence, but also heading somewhere else… Curator: Yes, the Baroque loved that drama! Nouailher inherited much from it, using it here to amplify the emotional and spiritual significance. The tight composition forces an intimacy, even voyeurism, placing us right into this very special moment, which was certainly popular in this specific devotional moment in Europe. Editor: I notice how dark the background actually is, which gives a theatrical feel to the adoration happening around the Child, making the halo particularly resonant. The composition feels intimate and slightly cramped, not in a negative way, but it pushes the narrative intensely in your face, and then further inward. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the narrative this artwork puts forward. How it portrays the birth of Jesus in a humble setting, surrounded by shepherds, reinforcing themes of humility and universal salvation... it made these intimate objects hugely popular. This piece makes you reflect on what role art, however small or domestic, has in shaping our historical consciousness, the politics of religious devotion. Editor: It really does speak to how devotion takes form, transforming belief into a physical object. This enamel plaque distills all the baroque emotional intensity into something tangible, glittering, precious. It feels intimate and expansive, both, which makes this a compelling and surprisingly reflective artifact.