Covered Vase on a Three-Footed Pedestal 1510 - 1584

Jacques Androuet Du Cerceau rendered this drawing, "Covered Vase on a Three-Footed Pedestal," using pen and black ink with gray wash. The composition presents a symmetrical arrangement, dominated by the vase's bulbous form, contrasted by the angular pedestal. The vase itself is adorned with dragon-shaped handles, introducing a play between organic and geometric shapes. Note the use of hatching and wash to model the forms, creating an illusion of depth. This drawing exemplifies the Mannerist style popular during the Renaissance. Mannerism often disrupts classical ideals through exaggerated forms. Here, Du Cerceau plays with proportion, with the elaborate pedestal almost overshadowing the vase. This kind of stylistic tension invites us to consider how artists of the time were questioning traditional aesthetics, using form to explore new possibilities in design and representation. The image should be understood not just for its decorative appeal but also as an intellectual exercise of form and style.