Plate 1700 - 1715

This plate was made by Adriaen Kocks from Delft. The plate is a study in circular composition, divided into concentric bands decorated with blue floral motifs on a white ground. The central medallion features a stylized landscape. The plate uses a semiotic system that reflects cultural codes of the time. The arrangement of floral patterns is not merely decorative; it’s a structured language, where each motif could symbolize different virtues or meanings. The outer band's grid pattern acts as a border, containing the naturalistic depictions within a controlled, almost mathematical space. The use of blue on white creates a tension between the organic forms of the flowers and the geometric precision of the design. This reflects a broader artistic engagement of the period, which attempted to reconcile nature with increasingly structured ways of perceiving the world. Notice how this functions aesthetically, integrating cultural and philosophical undertones.