Zsolnay Ceramic Factory Pécs, Hungary Vase About 1906 Porcelain with luster and other glazes Designed by Sándor Hidasy Pilló or Terez Mattyasovszky 12-3/4 inches high, 9-3/4 inches in diameter Gift of the Decorative Arts Council 94.36

Look

1. Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) was a popular style at the time this vase was made. This style is characterized by long, elegant curves. Where do you see long, elegant curves in the design and shape of this vase? What effect do all these curved lines have on the overall feeling of the vase?
    
2. How would you describe the colors on this vase? Warm? Cool? Shiny? Dull? Are these colors that appear in nature? The rich ruby-red luster is the most difficult color to achieve in a ceramic glaze. Point to where you see this red.
    
3. What scene is depicted? What time of day do you think is suggested? Why do you think that?
    
4. What words would you use to describe the design? Calm? Busy? Active? Peaceful? Flowing?
    
5. Do you think this vase was made (a) on a potter's wheel, (b) using the coil method, (c) with a mold, or (d) by the slab method? Explain your answer. How do you think the person who made this vase applied the decoration?
    
6. Is the design on this vase SYMMETRICAL or ASYMMETRICAL? Explain your answer. Do you think the design is NATURALISTIC or ABSTRACT? Why?
    

Think

1. Although it is not apparent in this view, the design goes all the way around the three-dimensional form of the vase. What does this tell you about how the artist wanted you to view this vase?
    
2. This design achieves a balance between nature and imagination. How would this vase look if the artist believed nature was more important than imagination? What would it look like if imagination had played a more important role?
    
3. Color, line, and form have musical qualities and convey a sense of rhythm and harmony. What kind of music does this design make you think of? Jazz? Opera? Country? Classical? Explain your answer. How would you represent your favorite music?
    
4. How do you think this object was used? Would it be for everyday use or for display? Why? Do you have anything at home that is there just to be looked at? Describe it.
    

Key ideas.
Where does it come from?
What does it look like?
How was it used?
How was it made?
Discussion questions.
Additional resources.

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