Ah, the vagaries of reputation. (Nicholas Claude) Alexandre Sandier (1843-1916), French creator of ceramics and exhibitor at the Exposition Universelle of 1900 in Paris, has been mostly forgotten. Then there is his contemporary, Georges de Feure (1868-1943), child of a Belgian mother and a Dutch father, so well regarded that the French claim his as their own, posthumousl
y.Yet Sandier was the artistic director of the reknowned Sevres Porcelain et Cie for the last twenty years of his life and his works were shown and admired at international expositions in Paris (1900) and Gand (1913).
The three pieces shown here are typical of the elongated ovoid shape that Sandier often favored. These are masterpieces of Art Nouveau, the designs appear to spring from the curvilinear shape, as the salmon pink flowers seem to be lolling in a gentle breeze 
(above). And at right, when our eyes move down from the water lilies, we notice the fish swimming along, almost as shadowy as they would appear if we were looking at them through water. In contrast, Georges de Feure's Woman In the Snow, lovely as it is, is a two dimensional image image applied to a three dimensional form.
(above). And at right, when our eyes move down from the water lilies, we notice the fish swimming along, almost as shadowy as they would appear if we were looking at them through water. In contrast, Georges de Feure's Woman In the Snow, lovely as it is, is a two dimensional image image applied to a three dimensional form.
3 comments:
At the risk of annoying other readers, I will re-state my view that practitioners of the applied arts - unless they achieve huge success and fame in their lifetime - are hugely undervalued by the world at large. You're quite right that in Sandier's work the design anticipates the form; with de Feure, the form accommodates the design. I think Georges de Feure was a great artist, but in this arena, Sandier beats him hands down.
I had to dig (even in French - forget English) to find information about Alexandre Sandier, but the work speaks for itself, I think. The forms he preferred are difficult to execute, but he had strong ideas. Georges de Feure worked in several media and I can't say whether Sandier did - but no matter. I'll repeat myself, too. The internet is making it possible to reclaim attention for a plethora of deserving artists.
And another thought about Sandier's designs: they seem inevitable, they have to be three dimensional. Imagine the pleasure of turning one in your hands.
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