Plate with two lovers 1644

This plate with two lovers was created by Antoine Conrade in the 17th century, and is made with tin-glazed earthenware. The composition of this circular plate is neatly divided into two distinct zones. The central medallion features a pastoral scene with two figures, likely lovers, set against a landscape of earthy tones and a light blue sky. Encircling this scene is a decorative border filled with stylized figures and ornamental motifs. Conrade employs a limited color palette, primarily using yellows, blues, and browns. The contrast between the warm tones of the central scene and the cooler hues of the border creates a visual dynamic. Semiotically, the central scene evokes notions of love, leisure, and the pastoral ideal, while the surrounding ornamentation suggests a world of fantasy and decoration. This juxtaposition destabilizes established meanings, prompting viewers to consider the relationship between the real and the ideal, the human and the ornamental. Ultimately, the plate’s formal qualities—the circular shape, the division of space, and the color palette—contribute to its overall aesthetic and conceptual impact.