The Lafayette Vase by Fauconnier - Case Study Example

The Lafayette Vase: Analysis of images Number Introduction The ‘Lafayette Vase’ was a gift to General Lafayette from the National Guards of France who had served as general of the American Forces in the French Revolution. The vase was principally designed by M. Fauconnier with the help of other renowned artist such as Bovy, Garnaud, and Chaponniere (Fauconnier, 1980). Work on this piece of monumental artwork is believed to have commenced in 1831 and completed by 1835. The intricate and masterful decorations on the vase are proof of the prowess that the goldsmith devoted in order to come up with this particular artwork. This was the work of a French goldsmith Jacques Henri Fauconnier. The vase itself had many decorations which were rich both in terms of aesthetics and also meaning. The most important of these decorative images is the statue of Liberty which depicts a young woman adorned in drapery (Campbell, 2006). Description of the Lafayette Vase Source:1 The vase was made of silver gilt and was approximately four feet high from the base all the way to the top. It was designed with two handles each made of vine-stalks and attached to the rim of the vase’s neck and having lion’s heads as support on the other edge. Furthermore, the neck of the vase was elaborately decorated with a civic crown whereas the bottom was elegantly enriched with ornamental aquatic leaves, sugarcane stems and coffee-tree. On one side of the vase was carefully decorated with the genius of industry and the genius of fine arts on the other. Here, the inscriptions; France, To General Lafayette” stands out (Cloquet, 1835). On the other side was the date 1830 was inscribed suggesting the date the work on the vase was completed. A square shaped pedestal also takes a majestic place in the vase and on it was decorations of the four statutes; that of Wisdom, Liberty, Equality and Force (Cloquet, 1835). Description of the Statutes Liberty Source:2 This statue was presented in the form of a young lady in full drapery with a cap on her head. She appears to be holding the National flag on one hand while on the other hand she is holding a sword. Under her feet, she seems to be trampling on a set of broken chains. This image seems to signify a willingness to defend a nation from any enemies and also a desire to fight any form of oppression and slavery as signified by the chains under the woman’s feet. Closer attention to the chains under the woman’s feet also reveal that the chains are broken further signifying that the struggle for liberation may already have been won (Cloquet, 1835). Equality This statute was represented, once again, by a woman holding a leveling plane on her left hand and appears to be leaning over a set of laws. This was suggestive of constitutionality basing on the set of laws that the woman appeared to have in her hands. The leveling plane, on the other hand, was implicit of the equal application of the law in accordance with constitutionalism (Cloquet, 1835). Force This statue was well captured through the image of a woman in her prime age wearing a dress that appeared to have been from a lion’s skin and she leans on a piece of trunk for support. The lion’s skin may have been indicative of her forceful nature whereas the act of leaning on the trunk suggests that she depends on the unity of people in order to acquire her strength and for support (Cloquet, 1835). Source3 Wisdom Wisdom was effectively depicted through the image of a young woman with a tasteful drapery and her head adorned with Minerva. Her calm poise and grave facial expression and demeanor suggest that she was in deep thought and reflective stance synonymous with wise people (Cloquet, 1835). Context of this artwork This vase was presented to Lafayette after his retirement from military service in honor of the service the American forces rendered to the people of France during their quest for liberation from the oppressive and dictatorial. He was a man who commanded a lot respect because he has fought diligently with both the American and French armies and has represented the people in the midst of noblemen and politicians and not once had he betrayed them. The life of Lafayette was basically coined in fighting for the rights of the oppressed, the slaves and the Negroes. At the back of his mind however, Lafayette envisioned and foresaw the problems that the oppressed would have to endure in case of sudden emancipation (Walsh, Littell, & Smith, 1836). Walsh et all (1836) put this in perspective through the statement: “He forsaw all the inconveniences that might attend the sudden emancipation of people debased by slavery … and he saw with pain the paltry considerations of the interest paralysed the hearts of some…” (Walsh et all, 1836). The above statement gives us an insight to the desire with which Lafayette wished liberty to all including the slaves and the oppressed Negroes. It is apparent that he had zeal beyond that of his fellow noblemen on the emancipation of the oppressed (Cloquet, 1835). His generosity knew no boundaries, for instance, 200 pounds of bread was baked and distributed to the poor each Monday and during hard times this ration was increased to 600 pounds. Moreover, Lafayette ensured that the bread distributed to the peasants was of the same quality as the one he used in his own household. Furthermore, he would personally visit them and made sure that their every need was attended to at his own expense (Cloquet, 1835). Shape, form and images The shape and form of this, relative are standard. However, this should not be construed to mean that they are not spectacular (Art, Design, and Visual Thinking, 2012). The square base and, as the name of the artwork suggest, a vase-like shape gives this artwork an appealing and majestic appearance that signify the noble status of the individual it was designed and made for . Furthermore, the material, which was silver-gilt, was a one of the best at the time and therefore reinforces the preciousness of the artwork in general (Arnheim, 2004). This vase is therefore appropriate for the status of a general, which Lafayette was. The images on the other hand speak volumes about what was happening in the life of Lafayette. The image of liberty appears to be very clear in relation to the principles that Lafayette strictly adhered to, and therefore he would obviously hold dear. A scrutiny of Lafayette appears to have been one of generosity and the fight for the oppressed. More precisely, his generosity can be clearly demonstrated from the assistance showed to the peasants; for instance, the 200 pound of quality bread that he so faithfully donated to the poor people is testament to this fact. Naturally, the image the statue of liberty illustrates his life (Campbell, 2006). On the other hand the shape of the artwork does bring out any of these principles in any way. For clarity purposes, the liberty of statue suggests a defense of the rights of everyone. This can be linked to the flag and sword implying a defense of the freedoms of all. This is clearly descriptive of the many times that Lafayette, in his capacity as a general, had fervently fought for the rights of the people, including the poor and peasants contrary to his fellow noblemen (Cloquet, 180). Therefore, it is clear that this image, particularly, seemed to portray what Lafayette lifestyle is comprised of. In comparison, and after clear scrutiny, it is apparent that the images on this vase (especially the image of liberty) are more meaningful in context with the events that were taking place in France at that and also in the personal life of Lafayette. Conclusion The Lafayette Vase is one of the best workmanship of the French blacksmith, Jacques Henri Fauconnier and was a gift to General Lafayette for the services he offered to the French forces that led to the triumph of the French Revelation. The shape of the vase, being as tall as four feet, was appealing and the material used, silver gilt, is testimony of the high honor with which they held Lafayette. The life of Lafayette was that of generosity and willingness to serve. In relation to this kind of lifestyle, and after examining the other images on the vase critically, this paper settled on the conclusion that the image of liberty was particularly important and descriptive to the life of Lafayette. Furthermore, this image appeared to be more descriptive of the events that were taking place in France and US at the time. Although the other images, such as the statue of force, wisdom and equality also have in depth meaning and relevance to the state of affairs in France at this particular period, the liberty seemed more relevant and more meaningful. For instance, the evidence provided did not particularly illustrate Lafayette wisdom in comparison for his quest to liberty for all especially the slaves and the Negroes. Therefore, it is apparently prudent to deduce that the liberty statue attached on to the vase is the most important image on the vase. References Arnheim, R. 2004. Art and Visual Perception: A psychology of the creative eye/new version. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press Art, Design, and Visual Thinking. 2012. Form Shape, and Space. Retrieved November 21, 2012 from http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/element/form/form.htm Campbell, G. (2006). The Grove Encyclopedia of Decorative Arts: Two-volume Set. London, UK: Oxford University Press Cloquet, J. H. 1835. Recollection of the Private Life of Genera; Lafayette: Embellished with numerous engravings in the original Paris edition. Lambertville, NJ: Baldwin Publishing Fauconnier, J. H. 1980. The Lafayette Vase: An Important Silver-gilt Vase. Bowling Green, NY: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publishers Walsh, R. Littell, E. & Smith, J. J. 1836. The Museum of Foreign Literature, Science, and Art. Volume 29. E. Little & T. Holden Publishers Read More