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From: Ron
Remote Name: 68.231.53.22
Date: 06/01/2009
Time: 02:13:20 AM
Jorge, This is the first full paragraph on page 84 of the book: "As far as we know, the scenes on those plates were created especially for use on Mettlach ceramics. On both, a subtly modulated, clear blue sky takes up two thirds of the space, with the lower part devoted to an architectural scene: either antique temples with the Fire of Vesta in the foreground, or an old German town on a lake surrounded by mountains. The scenery has a warm, brownish-red color to balance out the cool blue of the background. In both cases, the scene is animated by a pair of hovering, winged children carrying veils (33- Actually, the children have butterfly wings; had they been meant to represent angels, they would have had feathered wings.). As night falls (no. 2769), a veil is drawn before the sun, which then no longer shines warm and golden, while a symbolic star appears on the firmament. As night gives way to day (no. 2770), the sun appears behind the trees, shedding its warmth on the scene, and one of the children is seen carrying a torch of "new fire", (sic) while the moon and star disappear behind the veil. A charming, novel allegory in harmonious colors accompanied by unobstrusive (sic) gilding! The artist's signature can be found in full letters - Henrich Schlitt - on a roof near the right border (no. 2769) and, on the other plate, between the marble columns of the temple (no,. 2770).” While no. 2770 surely takes place in Rome, it is not an actual scene. The circular temple is probably intended to be the Temple of Vesta, but not a true rendering of it. Also note that he has the sun coming up between the Roman Forum and the mountain. Hope this helps you understand your plaques better. Ron