The History of Ceramics

Hector Guimard - The Father of French Art Nouveau

How Art Nouveau transformed Parisian Architecture.  In this episode we travel to France to meet Hector Guimard the father of French Art Nouveau and the sweeping organic forms that came to define one of the most exciting eras in European culture. We’ll be exploring how ceramic tiles became a  key element in the architecture at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and we venture underground, down into the Paris Metro where to this day tiles continue to reign supreme. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Hector Guimard, 1867–1942 Café-Restaurant Au Grand Neptune, 1888, Hector Guimard Tassel House, Brussels, 1892—93,  Victor Horta Photo: kat_hly.1608 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Illustrations to Salome by Oscar Wilde,  Aubrey Beardsley The Art Nouveau Bing Pavilion, Paris Exposition, 1900, Siegfried Bing Courtesy of V&A Museum Castel Béranger, 1895—98, Hector Guimard Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 1.0) Alexandre Bigot, 1862—1927 Photo: Absecon 59 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Inside Castel Béranger, 1895—98, Hector Guimard 29 Avenue Rapp, Paris, 1899—1901 Photo: marsupilami92 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Photo: Pline / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Maison Coilliot, 1898—1900 Illustrations to Salome by Oscar Wilde, Aubrey Beardsley Porte Dauphine Metro Station, Paris, 1900 Photo :Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0) Abbesses Metro Station, Paris, 1913 Hector Guimard — Andrzej O / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) Thesupermat / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Porte Dauphine Metro Station, Paris, 1900 For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro  Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Hector Guimard and French Art Nouveau 00:25 Tile as Architecture: The Third Component of Ceramics 03:57 Guimard's Early Life and Training in the Decorative Arts 08:34 The 1889 Paris World's Fair and New Technologies 10:38 Travels to London and Brussels: Discovering Art Nouveau 12:54 Defining Art Nouveau: Curvilinear Lines and Organic Forms 18:06 Art Nouveau as the First Modernism 19:48 Castel Béranger: Guimard's First Major Building 22:03 The Golden Age of Tile: Technology and Innovation 29:43 Alexandre Bigot: The Chemistry Teacher Turned Ceramic Artist 36:17 Maison Coilliot: Ceramic Architecture in Lille 43:51 The Paris Metro Commission: Art for the People 46:55 Designing the Metro Stations: Cast Iron and Subway Tile 52:38 Controversy and Politics: Art Nouveau Under Fire 55:20 The Decline of Art Nouveau and Rise of Nationalism 1:00:23 Guimard's Later Years and Legacy

Josiah Wedgwood - Part 2 - Turning Pottery into Politics

How did Wedgwood combine pottery with politics? Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt to discuss the life and work of potter and abolitionist Josiah Wedgwood who created one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Dinner Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773–1774, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase (Creamware), 1764–68, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum The Founding of Australia. By Capt. Arthur Phillip R.N., Sydney Cove, Jan. 26th 1788 Algernon Talmage Medallion, 1790–95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase (Black Basalt), 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Milk Jug, 1785—95, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Saucer, 1795—1810 , Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Portrait Medallion, 1775–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Dancing Hours Plaque, 1778, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum Dancing Hours Salt Cellar, 1786—90, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and John Flaxman Courtesy of V&A Museum Vase, Circa 1800—10, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Teapot and cover (Black Basalt), 1810, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Bust (Black Basalt), 1770–80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Teapot (Caneware), 18th Century, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Edward Gibbon, 1737–94 Portland Vase, Circa 1–25 AD Portland Vase, 1790, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Josiah Wedgwood statue, Stoke-on-Trent, 1862–3, Edward Davis Anti-slavery medallion, Circa 1787, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum For more great art content visit www.heni.com or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: Josiah Wedgwood - Turning Pottery into Politics * 00:01:32 The London Shop and Marketing Genius * 00:04:26 Art Meets Commerce: Wedgwood's Philosophy * 00:06:12 Global Ambition: 80% Export Market * 00:11:29 Countering Porcelain: Creamware vs European Tradition * 00:13:09 Black Basalt and the Innovation of Jasperware * 00:15:40 John Flaxman and Ceramics as High Art * 00:20:03 The Portland Vase: Artistic Triumph and Commercial Challenge * 00:22:03 Free Trade and Empire: A Businessman's Contradictions * 00:24:34 Radical Patriotism: Politics and Revolution * 00:29:24 The Abolition Badge: Pottery Against Slavery * 00:35:37 Legacy and Decline: After Josiah's Death in 1795 * 00:40:27 The Wedgwood Brand: Surviving 200 Years of Mismanagement * 00:43:16 Conclusion: Wedgwood's Enduring Importance to Ceramic History

Josiah Wedgwood - A Giant in the History of Ceramics - Part 1

How did Wedgwood create one of the most famous ceramic companies in British history?  And what fueled his obsession with science and experimentation?  Join Paul Greenhalgh is joined by Sir Tristram Hunt to discuss 18th century England and  the life and work of potter, scientist and abolitionist in part 1 of a 2 part series on Josiah Wedgwood. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Josiah Wedgwood, 1730—17 Soup Tureen with Lid (Creamware), Circa 1770—80, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Terrine With Lid and Saucer (Creamware), Circa 1800—15, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Platter (Creamware), Circa 1780., Josiah Wedgwood & Sons The First Day's Vase (Black Basalt), 1769, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Dinner Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Platter ‘Frog Service’, 1773—74, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum Plate ‘Frog Service’, 1773—74, Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Courtesy of V&A Museum "To see this and all our episodes go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks" Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro  Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac

Sèvres - Power, Porcelain & Prestige

In this episode Paul and Stephanie discuss how Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette's passion for porcelain created one of the most famous and revered names in the history of ceramics, Sèvres. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: Tureen (Japanese Kakiemon style), 1725–51, Chantilly Porcelain Manufactory Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Tureen, 1749–50, Vincennes Porcelain Manufactory Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Madame de Pompadour, 1756, François Boucher Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Madame de Pompadour, 1759, François Boucher Postcard – Sèvres – National Sèvres Manufactory – Gilding Workshop Wikimedia Commons (French Open Licence 1.0) Dinner Plate, 1788, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Tureen (Rococo Style), 1758, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Courtesy of The Met Collection Bleu Céleste Vase, 1779, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory Walters Art Museum, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Circa 1890 Charles Louis Müller Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0) Bleu Céleste Dinner Plates (Manchester Service), 1776–83, Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory The Louis XVI Dinner Service, 1783—93 , Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory "To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks" Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene Additional Research: Catherine Ingram Editor: Alessandro Ruocco Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: Power, Porcelain and Prestige at Sèvres * 00:02:02 The European Porcelain Race and France's Soft-Paste Experiments * 00:07:07 The Birth of Vincennes: Defectors and Royal Patronage * 00:09:25 Madame de Pompadour: The Power Behind Sèvres * 00:13:30 The Move to Sèvres and Royal Ownership * 00:14:43 Inside the Sèvres Factory: Division of Labor and Craftsmanship * 00:24:42 The Rococo Style: Opulence and Decadence * 00:27:38 Porcelain as Diplomatic Currency: The Bedford and Manchester Services * 00:31:46 Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Take the Throne * 00:40:10 The Most Extravagant Service Ever Made * 00:45:59 Revolution and the Fall of the Monarchy * 00:48:44 Sèvres Survives: From Royal to National Manufactory * 00:52:40 Napoleon and the Continuing Legacy of Sèvres

Secret Formula - The Race for Porcelain - Part 2

How did an alchemist discover the recipe for porcelain? And why did his discovery ultimately drive him mad? Join Paul Greenhalgh and Stephanie Rozene as they pick up the story of Europe’s obsession with porcelain and the race to discover its secret formula. Stranger than fiction this is another great story in the history of ceramics. Ceramics and artwork in this week’s episode include: King Augustus II the Strong, 1670–1733 Johann Friedrich Böttger, 1682–1719 Friedrich Zorn, 1711–89 King Frederick I of Prussia, 1657–1713 Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, 1651–1708 Plate, Circa 1730–35, Meissen Manufactory Courtesy of The Met Collection Vase with cover, 1725, Meissen Manufactory Courtesy of The Met Collection Vase, 1710 –13, Meissen Manufactory Courtesy of The Met Collection Tea caddy, 1710 –13, Meissen Manufactory To see images of the artworks in this episode go to heni.com/thehistoryofceramics or visit the Heni Talks YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HENITalks CHAPTERS * 00:00:00 Introduction: The Race for Porcelain Continues * 00:02:21 Augustus the Strong: The Porcelain-Obsessed Ruler * 00:06:37 Enter Johann Friedrich Böttger: The Young Alchemist * 00:12:11 The Fateful Demonstration and Escape to Saxony * 00:15:12 Imprisoned by Augustus: The Gold House Laboratory * 00:19:13 Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus: The Scientific Mind * 00:20:44 Dark Days: Failed Promises and Attempted Escape * 00:28:41 The Turning Point: Discovery of Kaolin * 00:31:41 The Breakthrough: Creating European Porcelain * 00:41:46 Freedom and Legacy: Böttger's Final Years * 00:44:51 The Ironic Twist: China's Secrets Revealed