Curriculum Materials: Amazing Animals in
Art
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Image 8 Christophe-Ferdinand Caron Essays: Questions: |
Style
Reflecting the French fascination for classical antiquity during Napoleon's empire, the shape of these cups is patterned on ancient Greek pottery forms. This style, which emulates the classical world of Greece and Rome, is called NEOCLASSICAL. Contrasting with the curving forms and elaborate flourishes of earlier porcelains, the flatter, straighter surfaces and simple lines of the neoclassical style were inviting to painters. In fact, painting assumed a new importance as it often now covered the entire surface, hiding the white porcelain, which traditionally had been displayed.
The painted scenes unfold around the outside of each cup, edged by gilt on the border and foot that continues inside and completely covers the interior of each cup. Glowing brilliantly, the tea service gives an impression of preciousness and resembles metalwork.
The landscape scenes are painted in a naturalistic style, reflecting Caron's emphasis on direct observation, which can be seen in the animals' physical characteristics, stances, and gestures. He focuses our attention on the animals and their actions, setting them front and center against a neutral backdrop of soft fluffy trees in one scene and a rocky embankment in the other. Behind the stagelike settings are soft blue skies and idyllic landscapes. The muted browns, greens, and blues of the BACKGROUNDS allow the vivid white, black, and red HUES of the stork to stand out, as well as the rich rust and white fur of the fox and the shiny gold and blue vessels from which the animals eat. Despite the miniature scale of the paintings, the subjects are clearly and exquisitely defined, attesting to the meticulous skill of the artist.
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