Vases and Ornament, nos. CCCCLX–CCCCLXVIII, plate 69 from "Designs for Various Ornaments"

Art Historical Context

**Vases and Ornament,. CCCCLX–CCCCLXVIII, plate 69 from "Designs for Ornaments"** This etching, created by Michel Angelo Pergolesi in 1801, captures a stunning array of vases and intricate ornaments numbered 460 through 468 in Roman numerals. Part of the influential series *Designs for Various Or*, it showcases Pergolesi's mastery in translating classical motifs—likely inspired by ancient Roman frescoes from Pompeii anderculaneum—into designs for artisans. At 18 1/8 × 11 1/4 inches, the plate exemplifies the meticulous detail of early 19th-century ornamental prints, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, thanks to the 2008 bequest of Herbert Mitchell. Pergolesi, an Italian engraver working in London, bridged Neoclassicism and the emerging Regency style, producing pattern books that fueled Europe's decorative arts revival. Etching allowed for precise lines and tonal depth, making these designs accessible to architects, furniture makers, and silversmiths seeking authentic antique-inspired elegance. This plate's cultural significance lies in its role as a visual catalog, democratizing luxury ornamentation during a time when rediscovered classical treasures shaped tastes in homes, gardens, and public spaces. Visitors will appreciate how such prints preserved and proliferated Greco-Roman aesthetics, influencing everything from Wedgwood pottery to grand interiors. A testament to printmaking's power in design history! (198 words)

About the Artist

Dulouchamp|Michelangelo Pergolesi (British|Italian) · 1750 |1760 –1850 |1801

British, active ca. 1801|Italian, active from 1760–died 1801