Save the Date: "Carrément Important!"

Curtain raiser May 31!

The Vauclair Gallery invites you to join them for the event of the Carré Rive Gauche 2012, under the theme of "Carrément Sauvage". The Opening takes place May 31, and the event stays in place from 1 to 3 of June. We hope to see you there!

The Gallery couldn't dream of a better theme than this one. Reptiles, fishes, birds or mammals of any kind... the animals are at the heart of the production of artistic ceramics in the late nineteenth century. Crawling dishes in a spirit of jungle, animal sculptures or vegetal decorations: we have an amazing collection and unique for you to discover.

We chose to present in priority for this event a splendid pair of dishes by Manuel Mafra, a Palissy follower in Portugal at the end of the nineteenth century.

Paire de plats aux lézards, 1880-1890, 38 cm de diamètre

This fabulous pair of dishes was made in Portugal, in the city of Caldas da Rainha. The influence of Bernard Palissy’s ware on the Portuguese’s ceramic creation during the late decades of the XIXe century is quite unknown in France. This pair shows its originality and the amazing creativity of this center. If the technique is close to other Palissy’s followers of this period, we can’t deny the fact that the decorative theme is totally new. Something happens on these two dishes that has nothing to do with still life. The intertwined lizards are represented in a no-man’s-land as if it was the beginning of time. We definitely are between nature and imagination of a new world. 

In addition to these exceptional dishes, of course we will deploy our entire bestiary. Here is a small sample of items that you can find: 

FROM EARTH...

Carousel panther, Germany, second half of the 19th century

This piece is quite unusual in the collection of the Gallery Vauclair. Far from the world of ceramics, it nevertheless embodies a decorative spirit and honores the in situ ornamental sculpture, the sculpture in public space.

E. Borneville for the Manufacture of Gien, Zoomorphic terrine, 1872

This terrine is a wolf's head, open mouth, as if emerging from a thicket of oaks in which it was hiding to surprise its prey. Signed "Edouard Borneville 1872", this piece and its realism are the work of a potter confirmed. It was visibly offered as a gift by the artist, a dedication to one of the leaves indicates "A LM".

Alfred Renoleau, Rustic bowl with a fish, circa 1890

Ce bassin est construit selon le schéma palisséen de l’îlot central entouré d’une rivière représentant un serpent lové sur lui-même. Renoleau s’inscrit donc dans le courant des suiveurs de Palissy du XIXe siècle parmi lesquels il apparaît comme une figure incontournable. This bowl is constructed according to the scheme of Palissy: the central island is surrounded by a river representing a serpent coiled on itself. Renoleau therefore falls within the current of Palissy followers during the nineteenth century and becomes a key figure of it.

... TO THE SEA...

Turtle, Manufacture of Bavent in Normandy, France, circa 1920

Cette très belle tortue est un doux mélange entre objet utilitaire et oeuvre d'art de céramiste. La carapace s'ouvrant, la tortue devient rangement. Par son expression et sa qualité d'exécution, cette pièce reste avant tout l'oeuvre d'un artiste à la fois céramiste et sculpteur. This charming turtle is a gentle blend of utilitarian object and work of ceramic art . The carapace opens and the turtle becomes storage. By its expression and workmanship, this piece is above all the work of an artist both ceramist and sculptor.

Plaque, Alfred Renoleau, with lobster and fish decoration, signed, circa 1880

This plaque is a reflection of the naturalist production of Alfred Renoleau in Angoulême. If the subject shows the influence of the great master Bernard Palissy (1510-1589) and his aesthetics, Renoleau reveals here his formal liberty gained in the last years of the 19th century through its iridescent glaze and original compositions.

Alfred Renoleau, Oval dish decorated with fish, eels, crayfish and snake, circa 1880

We find here again the scheme of Palissy with a central island surrounded by a river. Instead of representing a snake that doesn't extend beyond the island, Renoleau represents a fish. He distracts the principles of composition that Palissy used in his bowls to create a dreamlike world full of imagination.

... PASSING THROUGH THE AIR! 

Fury Parrot, Paul Comoléra for the Manufacture of Choisy-le-Roi, circa 1880-1890

This spectacular work is the result of close collaboration between the sculptor Paul Comolera, author of the model, and the potters of  Choisy-le-Roi who were able to accurately show the vigour of the bird and the beautiful colors enhanced by a transparent glaze. If this piece is functional, it remains primarily a decorative element. It is the function defined by aesthetics more than the form.

Eugene Collinot, Blue vase decorated with pheasant, circa 1880

This monumental vase reflects the permeability of potters in the second half of the nineteenth century face new influences from the Far East. In the origin of this ornamental piece, two partners; Eugene Victor Collinot (1824-1889) and Adalbert de Beaumont (1809-1869). The chemist and the orientalist collect, gather and recreate a Orient as the West dreamed. Collinot & Cie factory claims at each World Fair a real race to the monumental, pushing the material to its limits.

Jerome Massier, Rooster head down, Vallauris, circa 1880-1900

The Massier are not the first ceramists to individualize the rooster motif in earthenware. Before them,  Théodore Deck and his pupil Edmond Lachenal have tried. Choisy-le-Roi, calling sculptors Louis Carrier-Belleuse and Paul Comolera, also specialized in ceramic animal sculpture.

We prepare to welcome you an a jungle setting, for a moment CARREMENT FUN!