Artwork
Designs for Decorative Vases
Designs for Decorative Vases is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist John Hamilton Mortimer. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:on mount, lower left in graphite: Mortimer
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1770, this drawing by John Hamilton Mortimer presents two preliminary vase designs rendered in black chalk on laid paper. The work consists of quick, lightly shaded outlines that suggest the overall shape and decorative motifs rather than a finished ornament.
Subject & Meaning
The sketch juxtaposes a tall, slender vase with a broader, fluted‑top counterpart, each equipped with curved handles. Simple incised patterns, reminiscent of leaves or ribbons, impart a decorative intent, indicating Mortimer’s exploration of ornamental forms possibly for future ceramic or metalwork projects.
Technique & Style
Mortimer employed only black chalk, allowing for swift, gestural lines and occasional smudging that convey a sense of immediacy. The laid paper’s textured weave and worn edges reveal frequent handling, underscoring the drawing’s function as a working study rather than a polished final piece.
History & Provenance
The drawing belongs to Mortimer’s late‑period output, a time when he was active in the British art scene and held the presidency of the Society of Artists in 1774. He died three years later, in 1779, at the age of thirty‑nine. The work is now held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Hamilton Mortimer (17 September 1740 – 4 February 1779) was a British figure and landscape painter and printmaker, known for romantic paintings set in Italy, works depicting conversations, and works drawn in the…
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