Soup Plate
This black and white transfer-printed earthenware cup plate made by the Staffordshire firm of Job & John Jackson features a view of University Hall (1813–1815) at Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the nation's oldest college. American colleges and universities of international reputation such as Harvard were popular subjects for transfer-printed export wares because they appealed to American consumers as great examples of American architecture and symbols of higher learning. The imposing white granite columned facade of University Hall exemplifies early American Neoclassical architecture on a grand scale, providing a suitable vehicle for lofty intellectual pursuits. Another university depicted in the American Wing's collection of transfer-printed wares is Kentucky's Transylvania University on a plate, 14.102.315, by Enoch Wood & Sons (1818–1846). A different view of Harvard featuring Harvard Hall appears on another plate, 14.102.195, by Jackson. Jackson's view of University Hall was based on a drawing titled "North East View of Harvard College" (ca. 1821) by Massachusetts artist Alvan Fisher (1792–1863) made as a copy of an oil painting by Fisher for use as a model for an engraving by Charles Cutler Torrey (1799–1827), which was published in Boston in 1823 by Cummings, Hilliard & Co. as "North East View of the Several Halls of Harvard College." The engraving first inspired a transfer-printed view of University Hall by Ralph Stevenson & Williams (ca. 1810–1835) seen on another plate, 14.102.292, in the collection. The Stevenson version follows Fisher’s depiction more faithfully than Jackson's, which omits a large elm tree to the left of University Hall, substitutes grass for a walkway adjacent to the fence and removes several figures nearest to the fence, leaving only a horseman in the foreground. Jackson included the view in its series commonly known as "American Scenery" consisting of approximately thirty-two American views produced for the United States export market with a standard border of floral bouquets and blossoms, C-scrolls and an outer beaded band. The present cup plate illustrates how Jackson frequently eliminated the innermost band of floral bouquets to accommodate the small size of a piece. The collection contains additional pieces by Jackson from the same series. Refer to the Dictionary for a definition of the term "transfer printing" and for information about Jackson and the other above-mentioned firms.
Artwork Details
- Title: Soup Plate
- Maker: Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
- Date: ca. 1831–ca. 1835
- Geography: Made in Staffordshire, England
- Culture: British (American market)
- Medium: Earthenware, transfer-printed
- Dimensions: Diam. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm)
- Credit Line: Bequest of Mary Mandeville Johnston, from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. S. Johnston, 1914
- Object Number: 14.102.205
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
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Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
Job & John Jackson (active 1831–35)
ca. 1831–ca. 1835
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