Plate c. 1740 - 1750

This plate was made by Joseph Olerys, but we don't know when. Its whimsical painted figures and floral decoration offer a window into the visual culture of its time. It seems likely that Olerys was working in France, given the style of the figures and the echoes of French Rococo design in the plate's undulating edge and lighthearted subject matter. The figures have a theatrical quality. They might be characters from popular entertainments or stock types from contemporary society, reflecting an interest in social observation through art. The loose brushwork and informal composition suggest a move away from more rigid, academic styles. To fully understand this plate, we’d want to delve into the history of ceramics production at this time. Who were the patrons of such decorative objects, and what social functions did they serve? Research into the Olerys family and the cultural milieu of 18th-century France would help place this charming object in its proper context.