Unrivalled Wedgwood

Unrivalled Wedgwood is the first large-scale exhibition of the masterpieces manufactured by the legendary British company. National Museums of Liverpool has generously lent rare pieces of jasperware pottery, unique enamel paintings on ceramic plaques by the painter George Stubbs, one of the most perfect Wedgwood reproductions of the antique Portland Vase, pieces of English jewelry, furniture, and costumes. Another precious adornment of the exhibition is “The Portrait of the Duchess of Cumberland” by Thomas Gainsborough.

The reason why I chose such topic was really simple. Architecture is quite strong with his own philosophy and idea. But we have not to forget about quite small on the first sight details, such as decorative elements and design of the essential pieces of housewares. Details such vases or pottery can also create different atmosphere and tell more about the inward man. Therefore, the unique Wedgwood things, specially created for the client, were made with perfect expansion and elegance. Along with technical progress in material manufacturing such relation to the product made Josiah Wedgwood the most successful enterpriser as on his time as after his death.

Wedgwood always tried to develop the ceramics manufacture. He carried new techniques in materials and his own acquirements to the excellence and never stopped to grow as an artist and a potter.

The most known work, which became a pick of his genius was a Portland Vase with traditional for his antique style and the Ancient Greek motives. It was made with the special dark ceramics made with black basalt, which was the result of many experiments with material coloration and burning.

The exhibition will be open until the 1^st of February in All-Russian Decorative Art Museum.

Balykina Anastasia, Level 5