Artwork
Suite of Vases: Plate 29
Suite of Vases: Plate 29 is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques François Saly. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1996.229.30
- Credit line
- John L. Severance Fund
About this work
Overview
Suite of Vases: Plate 29 is an etching from a set of 30 published by Jean-Antoine Saly, a sculptor-turned-printmaker, during his time at the French Academy in Rome (1740-1746). The work showcases an imaginative, ornate vase design.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a fanciful vase adorned with twisting vines and playful sea creatures, blending real and fantastical elements. Notably, a mermaid-like figure curls around the handle, exemplifying Saly's departure from classical norms.
Technique & Style
Saly's background in sculpture influences the three-dimensional quality of the vase's design. His etching technique combines classical vase forms with inventive, non-traditional ornamentation, characteristic of mid-18th-century decorative arts' emphasis on imagination.
History & Provenance
Published between 1740 and 1746, this etching is part of Saly's 30-piece set created during his studies at the French Academy in Rome. The piece is now part of the collection at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques François Joseph Saly, also known as Jacques Saly (20 June 1717 – 4 May 1776), French-born sculptor who worked in France, Italy and Malta.
