Pot with a Green-Beige Glaze c. 1900 - 1920

This is a ceramic pot with a green-beige glaze made by Chris Lanooy. Lanooy, who lived from 1881 to 1948, navigated a world undergoing significant transformation. His position as a male artist provided him with opportunities, yet his artistic journey intersected with evolving ideas about craftsmanship and design. The Netherlands was experiencing industrialization and grappling with questions of national identity. Lanooy’s choice of ceramics places him within a rich history of craft, often associated with the domestic sphere and traditionally gendered labor. His movement away from industrial modes of production can be viewed as a statement of cultural identity, an attempt to reclaim certain values associated with artisanal work. The vase, with its muted green-beige glaze, echoes a sense of naturalism, perhaps reflecting a longing for simpler times amidst rapid societal change. It speaks to the emotional pull between tradition and modernity. Reflecting on this piece, we might consider the quiet resistance and subtle expressions of identity that craft objects can embody.