Plaque depicting Bernard Palissy
This plaque depicts the celebrated French Renaissance potter Bernard Palissy (1509–1590) sacrificing his household furniture to provide fuel for his kiln, an episode described in his own writings. In this composition, the event is illustrated with the romanticism and sense of drama for which the mid-nineteenth century is known. The plaque is distinguished by the elaborate gilt-bronze, enamel, and bicuit-porcelain frame that is a compendium of motifs and styles from the French Renaissance. Together, they embody the interest in historicism that existed throughout much of the nineteenth century.
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