This magnificent vase with handles in the shape of rams’ heads is signed on the base of the cartel by Lachassaigne, a painter and decorator renowned for the quality and excellence of his compositions on porcelain.
Lachassaigne reproduced a composition by the painter Ducis, who specialised in genre scenes with a historical theme. At the Salon of 1822, Ducis exhibited four paintings representing “The Arts under the influence of love”.
Van Dyck symbolised Painting, and Propertia de Rossi represented Sculpture. Two other subjects completed the series: Mary Queen of Scots making music with David Rizzio depicted Music and Tasso reading his poetry to Leonora d’Este represented Poetry.
A version of Ducis’s painting Van Dyck painting his first canvas is displayed in the same gallery.
D. M.
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