Vaas met bloemmotieven 1729 - 1737

Gabriel Huquier created this print, "Vase with floral motifs," sometime around the 18th century, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The image presents a symmetrical vase centered on a pedestal, rendered with precise lines and textures that mimic the three-dimensional form. The composition is structured around the contrast between the smooth, undecorated areas of the vase and the densely patterned floral motifs at its base. The vase's handles and embellishments create a play of curves against the geometric rigidity of the pedestal. Huquier uses a formal approach, emphasizing the vase's shape and ornamentation through structured lines and shading. This focus shifts the viewer’s attention from the vase as a mere object to its construction as a design, thus challenging fixed meanings associated with decorative arts. The print functions as a semiotic exercise, inviting viewers to decode the cultural codes embedded in its visual components. The vase's structure engages with philosophical concerns about representation and perception.